PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN were forced to settle for Rafinha Alcantara after failing with bid for brother Thiago, it has been revealed.
Liverpool did not sign Spain international Thiago until mid-September but their move for the playmaker was long in the making.
Thiago Alcantara (right) became a target for Paris Saint-Germain before he joined LiverpoolCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Ligue 1 side were instead pushed to sign his brother, Rafinha (left)Credit: Reuters
With PSG suffering an injury crisis in midfield, they turned to the 29-year-old but, according to the players’ father, Mazinho, they arrived too late.
That led them to consider other options with Mazinho urging Les Parisiens’ sporting director Leonardo to consider his other son.
He told France Football, via GFFN: “I had already spoken with Leonardo a while ago, but it was for Thiago.
“Leonardo wanted to sign him for PSG, but Thiago had already found an agreement with Liverpool.
“We then spoke about Rafa but he wasn’t part of Leonardo’s plans at that moment. I think that he must have thought about it, that he realised the nature of the opportunity and that it would be a coup to sign him.
“When he began talks again, Leonardo had changed his mind. And everything accelerated on the final day.
“It was on Monday that we had to work hard to convince both clubs.
“We were scared, but thanks to God, five or six hours before the deadline, we found an agreement.
“Leonardo wanted Thiago, he got Rafinha. And for Rafa, it was a dream to join such a club.”
The Alcantara clan is a considerable one in footballing terms, with dad Mazinho, 54, part of the Brazil side that won the 1994 World Cup.
Both players came through the ranks at Barcelona with Thiago joining Pep Guardiola in moving to Bayern Munich, before his recent switch to Liverpool.
The Reds have been unable to enjoy their £25million signing with only one start to his name.
Coronavirus kept the midfielder out of the side for a week before he was injured in the challenge that earned Richarlison a red card in last month’s Merseyside derby.
Rafinha, who chose to represent Brazil, has put together an unexpectedly solid start to life in Paris.
Three Ligue 1 starts have come in convincing wins over Nimes, Dijon and Nantes while he has come off the bench twice in the Champions League.
PSG are said to have paid as little as £2.7m for the 27-year-old, who was unwanted at Barcelona after a loan spell at Celta Vigo.
Ex-Brazil midfielder Mazinho (left) has spoken of PSG’s attempts to sign his sons
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in good spirits looking forward to Thiago Alcantara signing
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
