Why West Ham and Barcelona’s Rafinha are a match made in heaven

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After Rafinha’s move from Barcelona to Inter Milan collapsed, West Ham should enter the fray and complete a quality signing.

West Ham continue to look for ways to rebuild, and rejuvenate, their squad under the management of Manuel Pellegrini.

After missing out on the transfer of Javier Pastore, who joined AS Roma from Paris Saint-Germain, West Ham will be looking for a new central midfielder with the attacking qualities needed to link their defence with the likes of Lanzini and Arnautovic going forward.

Meanwhile, in Italy, Inter Milan have failed in their pursuit to sign Brazilian midfielder Rafinha. Rafinha, the brother of Bayern Munich’s Spanish talent Thiago, was linked with a move to West Ham in June. Inter Milan had Rafinha on loan at the San Siro from January, with the loan contract including an obligation to buy should Inter Milan qualify for the Champions League.

Inter narrowly beat Lazio to 4^th place and therefore their Champions League goal was achieved. However, Inter were reluctant to pay the full price of the future fee, negotiating with Barcelona to such an extent that the Spanish side are now refusing to let him join Inter.

This opens the door for West Ham, who could do with a talented player occupying the centre of midfield. West Ham signed an Inter man of their own on loan in Joao Mario, yet Rafinha is an upgrade in many ways; one which would prove to be a fantastic coup for the Hammers.

Rafinha will be available for a maximum of €35 million, yet West Ham could choose to try and get a discount on the signing. The Brazilian would add an extra dimension to West Ham’s midfield, with his ability to push forward from the midfield instrumental in leading charges into the opposition’s final third.

In the 17/18 season for Inter, Rafinha averaged 43.1 passes per game, with an accuracy of 89.5% – in addition to 1.7 key passes and 2.4 successful dribbles per game. In comparison, whilst on loan, Joao Mario picked up 33.3 passes, with an 81.3% accuracy, 1.2 key passes and 1.3 successful dribbles per game. An obvious and clear upgrade; one which could be just what West Ham need to elevate themselves to the next level.