According to Fabrizio Romano, as revealed on his YouTube channel, Liverpool were interested in signing Rafinha Alcantara before eventually settling on a move for Arthur Melo.
The former PSG man was on the Reds’ radar this summer and a move to Anfield would have been a very interesting move for Rafinha.
The midfielder has been struggling for form in recent years, but a transfer to Merseyside could’ve seen him catch fire once again as he’d have been reuniting with his brother Thiago.
Indeed, playing alongside his brother could’ve brought the best out of Rafinha. After all, these two aren’t just brothers, they’re a pair of inseparable best friends too as the younger sibling once said.
What’s been said?
Understandably, Rafinha and Thiago are very close – as most siblings are, but it sounds as though this bond runs deeper than most. As Rafinha has said previously.
“I think our relationship is the best brothers can have. He is a father, a brother and my best friend. He is a wonderful person. He has a great heart, a strong character and a person who knows what he wants. Somebody you can trust in. Somebody you can talk to about anything, and whatever you need, he will help you,” Rafinha once said.
Could’ve worked
Rafinha may not be what you would necessarily call Liverpool quality. After all, he struggled to make much of a mark on loan at Real Sociedad last season, but there’s reason to believe this move to Anfield could’ve worked.
Thiago would’ve helped Rafinha settle on Merseyside immediately, while the chance to challenge for the biggest honours may have spurred the Brazil international on to get back to his best.
On his day, Rafinha is as good as any midfielder – you don’t play for PSG and Barcelona if you’re not at least a little bit special, and with Thiago’s presence and Klopp’s tutelage perhaps he could have gotten back to his best at Liverpool.
Sadly, this transfer wasn’t meant to be.
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