West Ham United have been dealt with a huge blow in the race to signing Barcelona midfielder Rafinha – according to reports.
Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini has got the go-ahead from his board to bring in a couple of new players during the summer and Rafinha was supposed to be the feather in the cap.
Now though Spanish publication Sport are reporting that Spurs and Arsenal have entered the race to sign the midfielder.
Rafinha spent the second half of last season out on loan to Inter Milan but the Serie A side refused to accept the player on a permanent basis after the season came to an end.
Rafinha had an impressive stint in Italy but it is pretty evident that the Brazilian playmaker will head for the exit doors at Camp Nou in the summer.
Up until now, West Ham were the only team interested in signing Rafinha but now with Spurs and Arsenal also in the hunt, the Hammers are sure to take a back deal.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is looking to sign a new midfielder during the summer who can be a long-term replacement for Dembele.
Arsenal too are interested in Rafinha and Sport believes that the Gunners have already made contact with Barcelona over the availability of the Brazilian.
The contact from Arsenal is just an initial one and they have not offered an amount.
Inter had the chance of signing Rafinha for £31 million as part of their loan deal and the EPL trio interested in signing the midfielder will hope they can swoop up the player for less than £31 million.
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