Barcelona have turned down the chance to bring back former midfielder Rafinha from Paris Saint-Germain, with the 28-year-old set to join Real Sociedad.
According to a report from El Nacional, Barcelona have been offered a chance to re-sign former midfielder Rafinha Alcantara from Paris Saint-Germain in January, but the Catalans have turned down the opportunity.
Rafinha came through the youth ranks at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and made his senior debut as early as 2011 under then-manager Pep Guardiola at the age of 18 years. However, he could never kick on and establish himself as a regular at Camp Nou and managed just 90 senior appearances, scoring 12 goals and registering eight assists.
After loan spells away at Inter Milan and Celta Vigo (twice), Rafinha signed for PSG in a surprise move in the summer of 2020. However, much like at Barcelona, the Brazilian has largely been a bit-part player at Parc des Princes, featuring just 39 times in almost eighteen months at the club, in which he has contributed just seven assists.
The 28-year-old is believed to be unhappy with his situation at the club and has asked to leave in January, with PSG prepared to sanction an exit if a suitable offer comes along. And as per the report, Barcelona have been offered a chance to sign Rafinha, with his representative contacting the Catalans’ sporting director Mateu Alemany.
However, Barça manager Xavi Hernandez has declined the opportunity to bring his former teammate back to the club. The 41-year-old believes that he has enough quality in his midfield department already with Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Sergio Busquets, along with the breakout stars of the season in Gavi and Nico Gonzalez.
In addition, Barcelona can also call upon another La Masia product in Riqui Puig. So, as things stand, there is no need for a new midfield addition at the moment, especially a player like Rafinha, who has previously failed to hit the heights at Camp Nou during his previous stint at the club.
Instead, the report claims that the Brazilian international could be set to join Barcelona’s La Liga rivals, Real Sociedad. With David Silva struggling with injury problems of late and Adnan Januzaj linked with an exit, a versatile operator like Rafinha is seen as a vital addition by manager Imanol Alguacil.
As for Barcelona, they are set to sign Ferran Torres from Manchester City imminently, and there could be more incomings at Camp Nou as Xavi looks to add a centre-forward to the roster.
