Transfer Centre

Father: 'Rafinha not interested in leaving Barcelona'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 19 October 2017

Father: 'Rafinha not interested in move'

Rafinha "has no interest" in leaving Barcelona amid talk of interest from the Premier League, according to the midfielder's father Mazinho.

Rafinha is not interested in leaving Barcelona amid talk of interest from the Premier League, according to the midfielder's father Mazinho.

Rafinha, 24, found the back of the net seven times in 28 appearances last season, but he missed the tail end of the campaign with a knee injury, and has not yet featured this term.

Arsenal and Chelsea have previously been linked with a move for the midfielder, but according to Mazinho, Rafinha has "no interest" in leaving Camp Nou.

"The important thing is that he's feeling better," former Brazil World Cup winner Mazinho told Marca. "Our concern is that he recovers, that he can return to a football pitch.

"We haven't talked to anyone because with an injured player, it's difficult to negotiate anything with other clubs. Besides, we have no interest [in leaving] either. We have a contract with Barca.

"Rafinha's fine, he's recovering, carrying out his work, and he'll be back soon. I've had a perfect relationship with Barca since 2005 and I have no complaints."

Rafinha returned to Barcelona in the summer of 2014 after a loan spell at Celta Vigo.