West Ham are willing to pay Barcelona £35million to sign Brazilian midfielder Rafinha, according to Don Balon.
The Spanish publication claim that the highly-decorated 25-year-old, who has racked up countless honours as a Barcelona player, is for sale and that the club’s president would accept an offer of £35million.
Don Balon report that Manuel Pellegrini has Rafinha, who spent his latest campaign on loan at Inter Milan, in his sights as he is aiming to strengthen the Hammers’ midfield options.
Good move for West Ham?
Yes.
Don Balon’s report states that Inter Milan have a clause to buy the 25-year-old for £30.7million in their loan agreement with Barcelona but have no plans to activate it, which plays right into the Hammers hands.
Rafinha, who has two caps for Brazil, played 18 times in the 2017/18 season for the Italian giants, scoring two goals and three assist and would be a fantastic addition to Pellegrini’s current squad.
The 25-year-old has won the Champions League and La Liga previously, along with several Spanish Cups, and knows exactly what it takes to win silverware at a club.
The Brazilian is an excellent dribbler of the ball and a sublime passer which could easily see him be a success at the London Stadium.
Forever West Ham rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
According to Don Balon’s report, this deal sounds relatively easy to complete as Barcelona want to sell the midfielder and the Hammers are willing to meet their asking price.
Yet the Spanish news outlet’s reputation makes you doubt how true this story is as Balon have a tendency to suggest that sensational moves are on the cards when there’s actually no indication that they are.
However given the price tag and situation stated by them, it’s not the most unthinkable suggestion that Pellegrini wants to sign such a high-profile name for such a reasonable fee as it would be a huge marque signing for his new era at the club.
Forever West Ham rating: 5/10
