Barcelona director Ariedo Braida expects Rafinha to stay

Barcelona director Ariedo Braida has said that it is "very likely" Rafinha will remain at the club following his return from Inter Milan.

The Brazil international featured 17 times in the league for the Nerazzurri from January onwards as they claimed a Champions League berth.

Inter had the option to purchase Rafinha on a permanent deal this summer, but Luciano Spalletti has instead decided to look elsewhere.

Barca chief Braida hopes that the 25-year-old can now push on from his half-season loan at San Siro.

"Rafinha, very likely, will stay at Barca," he told Radio Sportiva. "He is a boy of great footballing ability and is a player who can decide games because of his handling of the ball. He has the conditions to go far, if he wants to.

"Last year he came from a serious injury, but when he recovered he did great things at Inter. He is a player who has impressive technical abilities. He's a very interesting player who is very good at Barca."

Rafinha lasted just 45 minutes for Barcelona in Sunday's Spanish Supercopa triumph against Sevilla.