Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign versatile ace Rafinha from Barcelona for a fee of around £27m this summer. The Brazil international is currently not on pre-season duty due to injury, but there are no assurances of a regular spot on his comeback.
Rafinha featured in a variety of roles under Luis Enrique last term, and he looked to have settled into the first-team before he sustained a knee injury in the backend of the season.
The 24-year-old is due to miss the start of the new campaign due to his rehabilitation, but Barcelona are now willing to offload him for good with Ernesto Valverde not seeing him as part of his plans.
Rafina has feature in numerous positions including right wing-back and central midfield, and according to Sky Sports, he could emerge as a surprise option for Arsene Wenger’s side this summer.
Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu recently hinted that the Brazilian is not for sale, but this has not deterred Rafinha from hinting of his desire to move on to another club.
“My future is open and God only knows what will happen,” he said, last month.
The two-time Brazil international managed just 14 La Liga starts last term, and he ended the season with 28 appearances across all competitions.
Arsenal’s midfield looks to have settled under the new formation with Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey looking the likely contenders to start, but they could still do with Rafinha with Jack Wilshere seemingly on his way out while Santi Cazorla does not appear to be returning anytime soon – from his recurrent Achilles problem.
Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny have been fairly inconsistent over the past year, but the club will have the services of both next season after the latter snubbed a £10m switch to Leicester City.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the other option to take up the central midfield duties, but Wenger sees him more as a wing-back following his excellent prowess from the position last term.
