Report: West Ham are in talks to sign Barcelona midfielder, rivalling Serie A side

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo have claimed that West Ham United are in talks to sign Barcelona midfielder Rafinha but face competition from Serie A side Torino – with the Spanish giants willing to sell Rafinha for a fee of £14.5million.

Rafinha, 27, is surplus to requirements at Barcelona having returned to the club following a season-long loan spell at Celta Vigo. Celta have decided against a permanent move for Rafinha, who is the brother of Liverpool star Thiago.

The report claims West Ham have opened talks over a move to sign the two-time Brazil international, with Barcelona sticking the the premise that they want £14.5million for Rafinha – the same price as the permanent clause in his Celta loan.

However, the Hammers are not alone in pursuit of Rafinha. That is because ambitious Serie A side Torino also want Rafinha, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract. It is believed he is keen on a move to England.

(Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)

TBR’s view – Rafinha is a bargain at less than £15million

The midfielder is a top player, and you have to be to have clocked up 90 senior appearances for Barcelona in all competitions throughout your career. At such a small figure, it would be a no-brainer for the Hammers to nab Rafinha.

West Ham do have Tomas Soucek, Declan Rice, Mark Noble, Jack Wilshere and Josh Cullen as options – though the latter duo could leave before the end of the window. Rafinha would be a top-quality signing, adding some much-needed quality.

(Photo by Oscar J. Barroso / AFP7 / Europa Press Sports via Getty Images)