For Inter, it is very much a case of now or never in their pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Rafinha. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Nerazzurri are willing to pay as much as €30-35 million to secure the Brazilian’s signature.

Piero Ausilio’s plan is to close the deal between the two clubs at a meeting today, despite the fact the Blaugrana are now asking for €40 million plus another €5 million in bonuses. It is hard to imagine why anyone would pay this for someone who is nowhere near breaking into Ernesto Valverde’s plans.

La Beneamata are determined to sign the 24-year-old, and will do all they possibly can to negotiate the price down to a more realistic figure. Then, they hope to have him available for Sunday night’s match against Roma.

Barça are in no hurry to sell – that much is clear – but time is against Inter and they will move on to other targets should their continued attempts to sign Rafinha prove fruitless.