The Leeds United-linked midfielder, Rafinha Alcantara, has decided to stay at Barcelona, at least for the time being, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Rafinha, for whom Sport claimed Leeds were ‘knocking on the door’ earlier this summer, is in the final year of his contract at Barca.
And the 27-year-old is said to want to leave for a club for whom he will play a minimum of 30 games per season, as he did while on loan to Celta Vigo last term.
Barca have set an asking price of €16 million (around £14.7m) for Rafinha, according to Mundo Deportivo.
And while the newspaper adds that ‘a good handful of proposals’ have arrived from both Serie A and the Premier League – without mentioning Leeds – these ‘cannot cover the cost of the operation’.
With the futures of Riqui Puig, Carles Alena and Pedri all uncertain, it is claimed that Rafinha’s situation has been relegated to the background.
And, not wanting to cause any friction with the club whose academy he progressed through, Rafinha will now either sit tight until the winter transfer window, or see out the remainder of his contract, rather than pushing for a move, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Rafinha’s situation could change, however, if a club suddenly matches Barca’s demands.
Leeds, though, appear to have prioritised a move for the Udinese midfielder Rodrigo de Paul at this moment in time.
Rafinha is understood to be a close family friend of the new Leeds recruit, Rodrigo, and saw his older brother, Thiago, head to England with Liverpool last week.
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