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Barcelona : West Ham join Inter in race for Rafinha’s signature

By Chiranjib Ghosh

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 24: Rafinha Alcantara of FC Internazionale Milano looks on during the serie A match between FC Internazionale and Benevento Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 24, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images )
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 24: Rafinha Alcantara of FC Internazionale Milano looks on during the serie A match between FC Internazionale and Benevento Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 24, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images ) /
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West Ham has entered the race for Rafinha’s signature

STADIO MEAZZA, MILANO, ITALY – 2018/04/17: Rafinha, Rafael Alcantara do Nascimento, of FC Internazionale in action during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari Calcio. Fc Internazionale wins 4-0 over Cagliari Calcio. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)
STADIO MEAZZA, MILANO, ITALY – 2018/04/17: Rafinha, Rafael Alcantara do Nascimento, of FC Internazionale in action during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari Calcio. Fc Internazionale wins 4-0 over Cagliari Calcio. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

When Rafinha was a regular starter at Barcelona under Luis Enrique, he attracted interest from the likes of Juventus and Arsenal. But after suffering a series of injuries and going out on loan to Inter, he only had a single suitor.

But now, it seems that Inter will face competition from West Ham for the Brazilian midfielder’s signature. The London club sent representatives to Barcelona, who held preliminary talks with the club over a future transfer.

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As for Inter, they will send representatives to the the Catalonian capital next week to discuss a fee for the playmaker. In his loan contract, there was an option for Inter to sign him permanently for €35 million, but the Nerazzurri felt that the fee was excessive.

Mazinho, Rafinha’s father and agent, has acknowledged Inter’s interest in signing the 25-year old Brazilian. He will be mediating in negotiations between the two clubs. He hasn’t taken note of West Ham’s interest yet.

Currently, Inter are still favourites to sign Rafinha. But if the two parties fail to reach an agreement after the meeting, West Ham will be stepping in and intensifying their interest. Personally, Rafinha wants to move to Inter, where he flourished under Luciano Spalletti.

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But if neither Inter nor Barcelona can show any flexibility, Rafinha’s only option would be a move to West Ham. But it remains to be seen whether West Ham agree to come closer to Barça’s €35 million valuation of Rafinha than Inter.

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