Rafinha – Football Scout

Barcelona’s Rafinha joins Celta on one-year loan

As Barcelona’s stuttering start continued with a 2-2 draw at Osasuna, Steve Nicol is still baffled they’re struggling even without Lionel Messi.
Barcelona midfielder Rafinha Alcantara has returned to Celta Vigo on a season-long loan, the two clubs announced on Monday afternoon.
“Rafinha Alcantara returns, subject to a medical, to the Celeste club on loan, with a purchase option included in the deal,” a Celta statement said.

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Barcelona also confirmed Rafinha’s move and added that the Brazil international has signed a one-year contract extension with the Blaugrana, with his previous deal ending next summer.
A…

Sources: Barcelona worried over Coutinho sale

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp tells ESPN FC’s Melissa Reddy that re-signing Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona would take “big, big money” and “it’s not our year for that.”

Steve Nicol says Liverpool need quality attacking depth and bringing back Philippe Coutinho could be a sensible move if they can afford him.

Stewart Robson cites Barcelona’s defeats against Liverpool and Roma in response to Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments that money cannot buy a UCL title.

With rumours of Neymar’s return to Barcelona refusing to go away, Santi Solari believes if it does happen one or two players may have to leave the Nou Camp.
Barcelona had classified the sale of Philippe Coutinho as a priority this summer but sources at the Catalan club have told ESPN FC there’s “concern” about the fact they have still not received a single offer for the Brazilian.
With just eight days to go until the transfer window closes in England, Barca are now worried that there will be no bids from Premier League clubs for Coutinho.
– When does the transfer window close?
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Barca paid an initial fee of €120…

Bayern’s departing stars honoured at title celebration

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge pays tribute to Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Rafinha as the three Bayern Munich stars prepare to leave the club. Via Bayern

Barcelona’s Rafinha ordered by court to wear Adidas or pay fine

Rafinha has been paid to wear Adidas boots and clothing since 2011.
Barcelona midfielder Rafinha must honour his contract with Adidas and wear the German company’s sportswear or pay a fine of up to €1 million ($1.14m), a Dutch court said on Tuesday.
Adidas had sued the 25-year-old Brazilian after Rafinha had started to wear Mizuno shoes in July, contesting the German company’s unilateral extension of a sponsorship deal that had finished at the end of June.
Rafinha has been paid by Adidas to wear their boots and clothing since 2011, but his lawyer said in court…

Luis Suarez, Arthur both 8/10 as Barcelona don’t skip a beat without Lionel Messi

Following Real Madrid’s disastrous display against Viktoria Plzen, the FC boys don’t give them any chance against Barcelona in El Clásico this weekend.
Barcelona made light work of Inter Milan at Camp Nou on Wednesday without injured Lionel Messi, with Rafinha and Jordi Alba on target in a 2-0 win.

Rafinha, who took Messi’s place in the side, opened the scoring in the first half. The Brazilian midfielder produced a smart finish from close range to culminate a move which he had started.

Barca were rarely troubled by the Italians on the night and Alba put the seal on a win which moves the Catalans three points clear at the top of tChampions League…

Bayer Leverkusen’s Karim Bellarabi hit with four-match ban for Rafinha foul

Currently on loan from FC Dallas at Bayern Munich, follow Chris Richards around behind-the-scenes at Bayern’s campus.

Bayern Munich have seven competitive games in a span of three weeks following the first international break of the season. Bayer Leverkusen winger Karim Bellarabi has been hit with a four-match ban and €10,000 fine following his foul on Bayern Munich’s Rafinha.
The Germany international was sent off for his foul on the Bayern full-back, who suffered a partial tear of ligaments in his left ankle, as the Bavarians beat Leverkusen 3-1 at the weekend.
After the match, which also saw Bayern lose Corentin Tolisso to a cruciate ligament injury, Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness called for a “three month ban…

Bayern Munich’s Uli Hoeness wants Karim Bellarabi banned for ‘malicious’ Rafinha foul

Bayern Munich have seven competitive games in a span of three weeks following the first international break of the season.
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has said Bayer Leverkusen winger Karim Bellarabi should be banned for three months fo…

Ernesto Valverde wants Rafinha to stay at Barcelona despite Real Betis interest

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde explains what Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus means for his rivalry with Lionel Messi.

FC’s Paul Mariner assesses the latest rumours surrounding Marcos Alonso, Ivan Rakitic and more in Transfer Rater.
BARCELONA — Ernesto Valverde expressed his desire for Rafinha to stay at Barcelona but stopped short of ruling out a move to Real Betis, who have confirmed their interest in the midfielder.
Rafinha, 25, impressed during preseason after returning from a loan spell with Inter Milan and started the Spanish Super Cup win over Sevilla earlier this month.
However, he was an unused substitute against Alaves last weekend and is the subject of interest from La Liga side Betis.
But Valverde’s made it…

Transfer Talk: James back to Real Madrid; ‘SMS’ set for lucrative Lazio extension?

ESPN FC’s Shaka Hislop gives his take as to which big name players could still be on the move, but will Kylian Mbappe join Real Madrid?

ESPN FC’s Stevie Nicol assesses a few potential late moves for big names including Anthony Martial, Eden Hazard and many more in Transfer Rater.
The English transfer window is closed, but the rest of Europe (except Italy) is still open for business, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow along with our daily blog throughout the summer.
When does the transfer window close in the top European leagues?
All completed moves: Prem | Champ | La Liga | Serie A | Bundesliga | Ligue 1

Real seek expensive James return

Real Madrid are seeking to cut short James Rodriguez’s two-year loan to Bayern Munich, but it will…

Paul Pogba: Barcelona director does not expect move for Manchester United midfielder

Boca Juniors star Carlos Tevez is looking forward to playing against former Argentina teammate Lionel Messi in the Joan Gamper Trophy match at the Camp Nou.

Ernesto Valverde praises Ousmane Dembele’s impact in the Spanish Super Cup, amid speculation about the Frenchman’s future at Barcelona.

Having retired from international football, Gerard Pique says he’s proud to have won trophies with Spain, but wants to focus solely on Barcelona. Barcelona director Ariedo Braida has said the club are unlikely to try and sign Manchester United’s Paul Pogba this month with Rafinha set to stay at the Camp Nou for now.
On Sunday, Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu left the door open to a move for Pogba, while vice president Jordi Mestre told ESPN FC that the club would be open to any “big opportunities” between now and the end of August.
Mundo Deportivo has claimed that Barca will attempt to buy the France international before the transfer…

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