Paris Saint-Germain star and Aston Villa target Rafinha is rated highly by Thomas Tuchel, Ligue 1 expert Adam White has told This Is Futbol.
Rafinha is currently being linked with a move to Villa, with journalist Ekrem Konur claiming last month that the Premier League club are interested in signing the Brazilian midfielder this summer.
Given PSG’s star-studded squad, Rafinha was not an automatic starter under Tuchel during the Chelsea boss’ time at the Parc des Princes.
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However, albeit usually from off the bench, the 28-year-old featured in all of PSG’s Champions League group stage fixtures last season, and White of Get French Football News believes Villa would be getting a player held in high regard by a Champions League-winning coach.
“Rafinha’s had a strange PSG career,” the French football writer said. “Thomas Tuchel really liked him and played him a fair amount, but then he’s really been on the fringes under [Mauricio] Pochettino.
“It’s a little bit of a surprise because he was pretty good under Tuchel and slotted in really well.
“When PSG end up with a really busy schedule towards the end of the season or in the middle of the season, he was a really good option in Ligue 1 – very skilful, very talented.”
Konur claims Rafinha would only cost €10m (£8.5m), so based on White’s assessment, the former Barcelona man looks like he could be an absolute bargain for Villa if they end up signing him.