Benfica to bid for Rafinha

Portuguese heavyweights Benfica have joined Real Betis in pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Rafinha Alcantara.

Spanish media outlets are spreading the word on heavy interest coming from Portugal as Benfica looks to hijack the deal in from of Real Betis’ nose.

The player has been in ongoing negotiations with Los Beticos over the past couple of days but the interest from a Champions League playing side was enough to turn Rafinha’s head.

Benfica are reportedly willing to offer €25 million for the marginalized midfielder who spent the last half of the season on loan at Inter Milan.

The total of 17 Serie A appearances did Rafinha good with a host of clubs already expressing interest to sign him this summer.

Nerazzurri ultimately decided not to entertain a €40 million option to buy the Brazilian outright and now Benfica are attempting to land the player on a cut-price deal.