Arsenal will reportedly be offered the chance to sign Rafinha in a proposed deal which could see Hector Bellerin move to Barcelona this summer. The La Liga outfit are hot in the pursuit of Bellerin as they look to reinforce the right side of the defence.
Spanish outlet Marca suggests that Rafinha will be offered in a part-exchange deal for Bellerin, who is seemingly mulling over his stay at the Emirates.
The Catalan outfit were initially hoping to lodge a bid of around £45m for the Spain international, but the availability of Marco Verratti in the transfer market has forced the club’s hierarchy to reduce the overall valuation of Bellerin’s transfer.
Rafinha, whose father is a former World Cup winner with Brazil, has largely been a bit-part player with the Camp Nou outfit with the likes of Arda Turan and Andre Gomes being preferred ahead of him in the pecking order.
He was utilised in the right-back, and right wing-back positions during the early months of 2017, but a knee injury in April has ruled him out of action until August at the least.
Bellerin is said to favour a switch to Barcelona, as per Marca, but his long-term commitment towards the Gunners has restricted him from a placing a transfer request.
The former La Masia graduate attained his best form during the final weeks of 2016/17 campaign where he appeared to find his feet at right wing-back.
Bellerin currently has six more years on his Gunners deal, and the FA Cup holders are likely to do their best to keep hold of their star man for next season.
Arsenal are also facing uncertainty over the future of star pairing Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez with the latter seemingly keen on a reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
