Everton have been touted as prime candidates to sign Barcelona’s Rafinha Alcantara, claims a report.
With the Goodison Park club’s recent links with Barca it’s no surprise that Spanish paper
Sport have linked Everton with the 27-year-old.
Andre Gomes, Yerry Mina and Lucas Digne have arrived on Merseyside from Catalonia recently and Rafinha is the latest player who could follow on that well-trodden path.
Last week Leeds were reportedly keen to see how his versatility and experience would fit in at Elland Road.
Barcelona quoted an exit fee of €16million (£14.3million), which Leeds saw as reasonable. However, according to
Mundo Deportivo (via
Sport Witness), the deal never got off the ground with
Leeds believing the fee was too “expensive” and whilst also meeting with resistance when negotiating with Barca.
Barca initially wanted to tempt Leeds into a deal, given
Rafinha is the cousin of new striker Rodrigo Moreno.
Now
Sport claims Everton, Arsenal and West Ham are interested in the player with Barca eager to make sure the player’s price ‘does not drop below’ €16m.
Last month, Arsenal were apparently looking at Rahinha after withdrawing their interest in Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid.
The midfielder was on a season-long loan deal with Celta Vigo, but has returned to his parent club and they are looking to sell.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti promised that his Everton side would compete across all competitions as they seek to end their 25-year wait for major silverware.