- Arsenal handed potential boost in transfer pursuit of Barcelona midfielder
- Rafinha Alcantara has told Barca boss Ernesto Valverde he wants to leave
- The Brazilian has recently been linked as a replacement for Mesut Ozil at Arsenal
- READ MORE: Arsene Wenger drops major hint over who he’s chosen to replace Mesut Ozil
Barcelona midfielder Rafinha Alcantara has reportedly told manager Ernesto Valverde he wants to leave the club amid transfer rumours linking him with Arsenal.
The Brazil international was recently mentioned by Don Balon as one of Arsene Wenger’s main targets to replace Mesut Ozil, who is in the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Diario Gol now claim Rafinha is not content with his situation at Barcelona, with so much competition for places in Barca’s midfield and possibly more to come in the form of Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho.
Arsenal will be pleased if they can land one of their preferred Ozil replacements more easily, as Barcelona may now have to strongly consider letting him go to keep him happy.
Still, Diario Gol suggest the deal rests on Barcelona bringing in one of their own preferred transfer targets in midfield this January, as manager Valverde is not keen on losing a valuable backup player.
Another report from Don Balon claim Lionel Messi believes the club need to strengthen in midfield, and has mentioned Tottenham’s Dele Alli as a strong candidate.