Aston Villa target Rafinha has been given a glowing recommendation by a Ligue 1 expert…
What’s the talk?
Ligue 1 expert Adam White has hailed PSG midfielder as very talented in response to Aston Villa’s reported interest in the Brazilian. He has said that he is surprised that he has been on the fringes at PSG, with Villa now looking to snap him up.
He told This is Futbol:
“Rafinha’s had a strange PSG career. Thomas Tuchel really liked him and played him a fair amount, but then he’s really been on the fringes under [Mauricio] Pochettino.
“It’s a little bit of a surprise because he was pretty good under Tuchel and slotted in really well.
“When PSG end up with a really busy schedule towards the end of the season or in the middle of the season, he was a really good option in Ligue 1 – very skilful, very talented.”
Villa are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the ex-Barcelona ace, with PSG said to be looking for a fee in the region of £8.5m (€10m).
Get it done
Johan Lange must secure a deal for Rafinha this summer as he could be an excellent signing for Dean Smith’s side. At the reported price of £8.5m, it could also represent a transfer bargain for the Villa chief.
Rafinha is valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, which suggests that Villa could be able to sign him for £5m cheaper than what he is supposedly worth and that is not taking into account his potential to improve further and increase his value down the line.
He turned 28 in February and that means the next few seasons of his career could be his peak years, meaning that Villa would be getting him at the perfect time if a deal can be done.
Rafinha also has the quality to back up Villa’s interest in him. His former Barcelona teammate Andreu Fontas previously called him a beast. He said: “Rafinha is a great player. Physically, he is a beast and, technically, he is superb.”
The 28-year-old has played at the top level for Barcelona, Inter and PSG, which shows that he is experienced above and beyond where Villa are as a club now. He has played in, and won, the Champions League and has also won three La Liga titles with Barcelona. This shows that he has the ability to play at the elite level of the game, as three separate clubs have wanted him in their side when competing for major honours.
He could come in and improve Villa’s options in midfield as he has the experience required to raise the standards. He knows what it takes to win some of the biggest prizes in club football and would come in having trained with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi throughout his career, which means that he could use his experiences to help Villa’s players step up.
Lange must push to get this deal over the line.
AND in other news, The Athletic journalist drops update on £50m midfielder, Villa fans will be relieved…