Barca Blaugranes · Oct 25, 2018
With Inter Performance, Rafinha Becomes Favorite to Start El Clásico
Photo by David Ramos/Getty ImagesErnesto Valverde benched millions upon millions worth of talent and instead he went for Rafinha. Ousmane Dembélé, a record signing, and a starter earlier this season even with Lionel Messi fit, didn’t play a single minute. Neither did Malcom, the most expensive signing in this summer’s transfer window.
Barcelona had tried to sell Rafinha, coincidentally to Inter Milan, but they balked at the asking price. The Brazilian himself thought he wouldn’t get playing time and tried to get loaned to Real Betis. Barça asked them to purchase him outright, but Betis said they couldn’t afford it.