Everton touted as major contenders to sign Barcelona man
Everton have been touted as prime candidates to sign Barcelona’s Rafinha Alcantara, claims a report.
With the Goodison Park club’s recent links with Barca it’s no surprise that Spanish paper Sport have linked Everton with the 27-year-old.
Andre Gomes, Yerry Mina and Lucas Digne have arrived on Merseyside from Catalonia recently and Rafinha is the latest player who could follow on that well-trodden path.
Last week Leeds were reportedly keen to see how his versatility and experience would fit in at Elland Road.
Barcelona quoted an exit fee of €16million (£14.3million), which Leeds saw as reasonable. However, according to Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), the deal never got off the ground with Leeds believing the fee was too “expensive” and whilst also meeting with resistance when negotiating with Barca.
Barca initially wanted to tempt Leeds into a deal, given Rafinha is the cousin of new striker Rodrigo Moreno.
Now Sport claims Everton, Arsenal and West Ham are interested in the player with Barca eager to make sure the player’s price ‘does not drop below’ €16m.
The midfielder was on a season-long loan deal with Celta Vigo, but has returned to his parent club and they are looking to sell.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti promised that his Everton side would compete across all competitions as they seek to end their 25-year wait for major silverware.
Ancelotti bullish
The Toffees took three points from their trip to Tottenham after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s towering header provided decisive.
The summer transfer widow has breathed new life into Everton’s squad, with big money trio Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan and James Rodriguez all being handed their debuts from the start.
Speaking to the BBC following the match, Ancelotti set out his stall for the upcoming season.
“This performance gives us more confidence for the future,” said the Italian. “We showed what we can do. For the players it was important to show what they can do.
“It’s not easy for everyone to prepare for the start of the season. There was not a lot of time. The new signings had one week of training.
“[The new players] adapted really well. The performance was good.”