According to well placed Sky Sports sources, the deal agreed between Inter and Barcelona for Brazilian midfielder Rafinha, does not include any binding clauses that obligate Inter to purchase the player outright. The deal is believed to be a simple loan with an option to buy at the end of the season. Earlier reports from Spain indicated that Inter had to purchase Rafinha in the event of the Nerazzurri making it into the Champions League. These rumors however have now been proven false as the redemption of the player is completely up to Inter, and is not tied to any placement or performance by Inter.
However, Premium Sport in Italy also report that there is a possible gentleman agreement between the Nerazzurri and Barcelona: if the Brazilian player will help Inter to reach a top 4 placing by providing an important contribution (therefore playing regularly and well), it is not to be excluded that Inter will exercise the option to buy him outright for 35 million plus bonuses, but this is only a verbal agreement which does not tie Inter to any decision. If Rafinha is eventually signed permanently, he will sign a 3 and a half year contract.
Looking ahead I think we still need to do a bit of work to fix our midfield and attack. The way I see it we a reliable deputy for Perisic on the left, a trequartista, a more potent deputy Icardi. and possibly another upgrade to our midfield.
Joaquin Correa and Deulofeu only natural wingers we are being linked with for a January transfer. Of the two I prefer Correa as he is a bit more technical and also better on the left than Deulofeu. Seems like Montellla has taken a shine to Correa since taking over at Sevilla so we might end up making a last minute dash for Deulofeu come Jan 31st but guess either one would be a welcome addition. If nothing happens I hope we put a bit more faith in Karamoh as think he has looked promising in his limited cameos.
Ramires is a name we are being linked with a lot and while he definitely has an eye for goal his excels playing in a deeper role and doesn’t address our need for a trequartista. Pastore is obviously the perfect addition for that role and if we do manage to move Brozovic, Joao Mario, Eder and Pinamonti with at least 3 of the 4 linked with outright transfers that are FFP positive we could create room to make a bid to land Pastore which could give us a huge boost in our push to secure a top 4 finish.
On the forward front I am pretty excited about the Sturridge transfer as if he can stay fit he would be a massive upgrade on Eder and also could play as an inside forward on either wing. If we can get him without any upfront payment and a redemption option below 30mn would be a good bet. Moving on Eder would also help as think his transfer will create some space under FFP to maneuver on other fronts. While I would prefer Pinamonti moved on loan I would also be ok with an outright sale for the rumored 7mn as long as it was accompanied with a 2-3 year buyback option in the 12-15mn range. Guarantees he gets minutes, helps us on the FFP front and allows us to ensure he doesn’t become another one that got away.
Finally think there is some legs to the rumored Kovacic transfer as he knows the Serie A, has improved quite a bit since his move to Real Madrid and of course had great chemistry with Icardi before he left for pastures anew. We should only consider him if we manage to move one or both of Joao Mario or Brozovic and preferably have some sort of redemption option in the 30mn range. I would also be open to taking a punt on Ceballos as an alternative to Kovacic if we can get a better deal for him from Real given he has been a bit more open about being discontented.
Rafinha was actually had his best year at Barca last year prior to getting injured and was making a strong case for a regular starting role for Barca in Iniesta’s absence.
Definitely not the finished article yet and the long and persistent injury problems remain a cause for concern but even though he missed nearly 20 games last year he probably made more of a mark than both Joao Mario and Brozovic combined last year and if he stays fit would be a definite upgrade to our midfield.
Looking at our team I think our main problem at the moment is that we maintain possession too deep which doesn’t allow us enough opportunities to take advantage of the fact that both Icardi and Perisic are players that attract extra attention from the defense and can create a lot of openings for their teammates is only allowed more opportunities closer to opponents penalty area. I see him helping in that regard as he is an attacking minded midfielder who excels at holding onto possession plus see him as another player that will draw extra attention from defenders which means potentially more space for Icardi to do his thing in the box.
Rafinha also tends to drift to the right which together with his aforementioned ability to draw out defenders could mean that that we will start seeing even more of our play come directed the right but also potentially better goal scoring opportunities for Candreva who at present has largely been limited to low delta long-shots given the lack of anyone creating openings for him. Rafinha can also play on the right wing and guess gives us a different option to Candreva in that position as he prefers to build up play and run at defenses vs. crossing from the byline which will allow Spalletti to mix it up a bit more.
I am clearly all-in with this transfer and while I agree that 35+3 is a fairly steep transfer fee, given its an option and not an obligation gives me a lot of comfort as we will only make the transfer permanent if Rafinha has delivered.
35+bonuses????
Please, this is just a waste of money
Its only loan with option to buy
This’s a good deal, I supose
Bonuses will only amount to an extra €3 Million
If this news is true then Inter has done a good deal.
Anyone can tell what happened with Ricky Alvarez’s case?? Last time I heard that Inter won the case. Have Sunderland paid the fee yet?