The saga is over: Inter are set to confirm the signing of Rafinha, after Barcelona accepted their latest offer of a €3 million loan fee with an option to buy for a further €35 million plus bonuses included in the deal.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the bonuses relate to whether the Nerazzurri qualify for next season’s Champions League and the number of appearances the Brazilian makes. Indeed, the 24-year-old is due to arrive in Milan either today or tomorrow to undergo his medical tests before the move is completed.
He will be in San Siro to watch his new teammates play against Roma on Sunday night, where Radja Nainggolan will be on the pitch. The Belgian caused him to miss six months of action back in 2015 with a bad tackle. The number 12 jersey is waiting for him in Milan.
It was not an easy deal to conclude, but the player’s desire to seek a new challenge proved decisive in the end. Rafinha could be deployed as a trequartista behind Mauro Icardi, or on the right wing as an alternative to Antonio Candreva. Time will tell where Luciano Spalletti views him as being most effective.
