In Monday’s print edition, Sport has stated that Everton are among several clubs hoping to recruit Barcelona midfielder Rafinha Alcantara during this summer transfer period. It is understood that the Toffees will face fierce competition from ‘many’ teams including Arsenal and West Ham United in the transfer chase of the Brazilian playmaker, who is a fringe player for Barca to cash in on this summer (transcripted and translated by Sport Witness).
Rafinha’s Fine Form At Celta Vigo Last Season
The South American sensation enjoyed a fruitful loan spell with Celta Vigo in the previous campaign when he produced a series of impressive displays as a key component of Óscar García Junyent’s midfield. The two-time Brazilian international was involved in 33 matches for the Spanish club in the last term, registering four goals and providing two assists in all competitions.
Rafinha did well to contribute at both ends of the pitch as he averaged 2.4 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 0.7 clearances, 1.1 shots, 0.8 key passes and 2.1 dribbles per 90 minutes in the 2019-20 La Liga campaign. The Sao Paulo-born midfield ace was excellent with his ball-distribution after completing 87.1% of his attempted passes in the Spanish top tier (stats via whoscored).
After such a consistent season on loan at the Abanca-Balaídos, the 27-year-old needs to make sure that he gets to experience regular playing minutes for whichever club he ends up playing for in this new campaign. Ancelotti can afford to offer him regular first-team football at Goodison Park especially if he decides to ship the underperforming Gylfi Sigurdsson out of the club this summer.
What Will The Brazilian Midfielder Bring To Merseyside?
Rafinha is a deceptively quick midfielder, who can complete some dangerous dribbles in the opposition half using his composure and excellent ball control. He can strike the ball accurately and with a lot of power and is a brilliant passer in the attacking third.
The Brazilian talent has also got the eye to play a decisive through-ball in the offensive end of the field and is also not shy of putting in an impressive shift defensively inside his half. He is primarily an attacking midfielder but can also play in a box to box role or operate on the flanks as a winger if needed.
Will Signing Rafinha Be A Wise Move For The Toffees?
An attack-minded and versatile midfielder like Rafinha will be a welcome addition to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad which will boost the Italian’s chances of challenging for a major trophy in this campaign. He will serve as a significant upgrade over Sigurdsson and has what it takes to regularly feature for the Toffees in the Premier League week in week out.
Plus, Rafinha could potentially form a productive midfield partnership with the new signings, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure at Goodison Park this season. With all things considered, it will be a wise decision by the Merseyside club to acquire his services before the transfer deadline next month.
