PSG wanted Thiago Alcantara but signed Rafinha instead

Paris Saint-Germain were interested in signing Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich this summer, before he made the move to Liverpool, but they ended up signing his brother instead.

Thiago and Rafinha Alcantara are brothers, but while Rafinha represents Brazil at international level, Thiago plays for Spain. And according to their father Mazinho, PSG sporting director Leonardo wanted Thiago very much.

As Mazinho told France Football, he and Leonardo spoke about a potential transfer this summer, but Thiago had his heart set on Liverpool and being excited about working with Jurgen Klopp, he had already agreed to join the Premier League champions. Leonardo apparently wasn’t immediately interested in Rafinha, but PSG needed a midfielder of flair and creativity, and he ended up changing his mind.

Both 27-year-old Rafinha and 29-year-old Thiago came through Barcelona’s La Masia academy, and while Thiago made the permanent move to Bayern in 2013, Rafinha stayed put and spent time on loan at Inter Milan and Celta Vigo. PSG signed him this summer on a free transfer from Barcelona.