Prince Rupert's Tower
Fansided

Might Everton unite Alcantara brothers on Merseyside

By Matt Townsend

VIGO, SPAIN - JULY 16: Rafa Alcantara 'Rafinha' of Celta de Vigo in action during the Liga match between RC Celta de Vigo and Levante UD at Abanca Balaidos Stadium on July 16, 2020 in Vigo, Spain. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
VIGO, SPAIN - JULY 16: Rafa Alcantara 'Rafinha' of Celta de Vigo in action during the Liga match between RC Celta de Vigo and Levante UD at Abanca Balaidos Stadium on July 16, 2020 in Vigo, Spain. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

As Liverpool appear close to completing the signing of Thiago Alcantara, Everton are yet again quoted as an interested party in the future of his brother, Rafinha.

This player is a long-time Barcelona loanee who has plied his trade for a number of clubs over the past few seasons and is now being associated with a possible move to Everton.

Rafinha is a Brazilian midfielder/forward who has understandably struggled to nail down a place in a Barca team comprising such all-time greats as Xavi, Andreas Iniesta and of course, Lionel Messi.

He has been something of a nomad over the past few years, most recently playing for another Spanish club, Celta Vigo.

Unlike his brother, a genuinely outstanding player, who unfortunately is moving to Anfield, Rafinha has struggled to find a club and consistently produce his best football.

This summer, with Barcelona in serious financial trouble, they are desperate to get a number of their players off what has become a crippling wage bill. They also have a new coach in ex-Blues boss Ronald Koeman, who wants a clear-out of players as he re-builds the team.

So Rafinha is certainly surplus to requirements there and the latest reports indicate that he has been left out of the Barcelona squad with a view to his moving on.

Everton have established a very good relationship with the Spanish giants since Marcel Brands became Director of Football.

The club have of course acquired a number of former Barca squad players like Lucas Digne, Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes, all of whom have become established members of the first-team.

Now Rafinha is the latest of their unwanted footballers being linked with swapping the Camp Nou for a new home at Goodison Park.

We’ve covered this rumour before, but again it won’t go away and once more it’s being claimed the Toffees are supposedly keen on a deal for the 27-year-old.

More from Prince Rupert's Tower

Rafinha is a player who mainly likes to operate in a central position or wide on the right hand side. He’s a left-footed player so can cut inside from that flank.

Everton though have just signed exactly that type of player, although of a much higher quality, in Colombian superstar James Rodriguez from Barcelona’s hated rivals Real Madrid.

If the Toffees are to bring in more attacking talent then as we’ve said, they should be concentrating on younger wide players with real pace.

Given all that it doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Blues to sign Rafinha, even if they want to, although I suppose a loan deal for him to maybe back up James, can’t be ruled out altogether as a possibility.

Next. How can Everton solve defensive crisis. dark

While there is a certain kind of attractive symmetry in having both these brothers playing their football on Merseyside, either side of Stanley Park, it seems a story very unlikely to come true!

Home/Transfer Rumors