Rafinha Asks for Transfer as Barcelona Look for Replacement - Reports

However, Rafinha could stay in the end if Real Betis don’t give up the money

Rafinha has asked Ernesto Valverde to let him leave for more playing time, according to RAC1. The midfielder has been the subject of intense transfer speculation over a possible loan move to Real Betis. But, according to the report, Barcelona will only let him leave if he can secure a permanent transfer or a loan with an obligatory buy clause. At the moment, it seems Betis only offer a 1.5 million euro loan fee, plus an option to purchase.

Diario SPORT reports the same disagreement, Barcelona want a transfer or a loan with a mandatory clause, but Betis only offer a loan with an option to buy, or one that is only mandatory under certain conditions.

Because Rafinha’s contract runs out in 2020, Barcelona don’t want to loan a player and have him come back with his deal almost up. There have been rumors that Barça could try to renew his contract before loaning him.

SPORT goes on to say that Rafinha will not be denied his move and they expect him to leave soon.

It also says that Barcelona are on the lookout for another signing before the end of the transfer window. Frenkie De Jong (Ajax), Adrien Rabiot (Paris Saint-Germain), and Paul Pogba (Manchester United) are players the club wants, but it looks like none of them will come this summer. That means the Catalans could be looking for a cheap option, if one arises. The arrival of such a player, plus the departure of Rafinha, are the only possible bits of activity left in this transfer window, SPORT says.

Source: barcablaugranes.com