Rafinha Contract: Latest News and Rumours on Negotiations with Barcelona

Barcelona are set to reward Rafinha with a new five-year contract despite recent news that the youngster will miss the majority of the 2015-16 season.

Continue for updates.

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Sidelined Rafinha Set for Extension

Thursday, September 17

The 22-year-old tore his right anterior cruciate ligament during the Blaugrana’s Champions League clash with Roma on Wednesday, but according to Mundo Deportivo (h/t football-espana.net), the club will show unshakeable faith in the player by offering him an extension.

Rafinha’s injury came at the worst possible time. With Xavi gone and Barcelona unable to draft in replacements due to their transfer ban, there was a chance for the Brazil international to become a much more regular feature in the first team.

In the glimpses he’s showcased so far, the youngster would have been capable of doing a fine job. Not only is he a dynamic presence in the middle of the pitch, but he can dribble with the ball, pass through the lines and occupy a variety of different roles in this Barcelona side. Sadly, he’ll be watching from the sidelines for the time being.

Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

Occasionally, players are never quite the same after suffering from an anterior cruciate ligament tear, so for Barcelona, giving the youngster a new deal is a gamble of sorts. Terms on Rafinha’s current contract were set to expire in the summer of 2016.

But it’s a move that’ll give the player some renewed motivation as he goes about his recovery process and, despite the lengthy layoff, is an emphatic indication of the confidence Barcelona have in their young midfielder. So while Rafinha’s set to miss a substantial chunk of this season, it seems as though there will be plenty more to come in the iconic Blaugrana colours.