Transfer Centre

Rafinha: "I'm ready for anything"

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 26 June 2018

Barcelona midfielder Rafinha says that he is "ready for anything" as speculation surrounding the future of the Brazilian gathers pace.

Barcelona midfielder Rafinha has said that he is "ready for anything" as speculation surrounding the future of the Brazilian gathers pace.

Rafinha found the back of the net seven times in 28 appearances for Barcelona during the 2016-17 season, but he missed the tail end of the campaign with a knee injury and did not return to action until January.

The 25-year-old joined Inter Milan on loan for the second half of the 2017-18 campaign, and scored twice in 17 Serie A appearances for the Italian giants.

Inter have seemingly passed up the chance to sign the midfielder on a permanent deal, however, and Rafinha, who has been linked with West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, is now keeping his options open.

"Inter was a spectacular experience," Rafinha told Lancenet. "It was a style of football and a language I didn't know. It was important for me to get back to playing as many games as possible after my injury. I knew my ability to adapt quickly would be important.

"Thanks to my teammates and the Nerazzurri fans, I was very well received and I regained my confidence in playing my style of football.

"I had a great time at Inter and I was thinking of staying. I was really convinced that with qualification for the Champions League I'd have stayed, but it didn't happen.

"Football is still a business and sometimes people's wishes aren't fulfilled. Right now I'm a Barcelona player. I still haven't met with the club, but in my head I have the idea of presenting myself for pre-season training on July 11 and then we'll see. I'm ready for anything."

Rafinha has a contract with Barcelona until the end of the 2019-2020 campaign.