Thiago Alcantara’s father reveals PSG missed out to Liverpool in race to sign Spanish playmaker… so they signed his brother Rafinha instead!
- Paris Saint-Germain were eyeing a summer move for Thiago Alcantara
- However, Thiago ended up moving to Liverpool after leaving Bayern Munich
- PSG ended up making a move for his brother Rafinha late on in the window
- Rafinha is still adapting to life at PSG, making five appearances so far for club
Thiago Alcantara’s father has revealed that Paris Saint-Germain failed in pursuit of his son this summer, before they ended up making a move for his brother Rafinha instead.
Thiago put Europe’s top clubs on red alert this summer after announcing his plans for a fresh challenge away from Bayern Munich, but it was Liverpool who ended up snapping up his signature in a £25million deal.
Thiago’s transfer dragged on for quite some time but by the time PSG made contact regarding a move, it was too late.
PSG were interested in signing Thiago Alcantara but it was Liverpool who got their man
And the Spanish playmaker’s father – former Brazil international Mazinho – has now revealed that he spoke to PSG sporting director Leonardo regarding a move for Thiago, before sealing a deadline day deal for his brother Rafinha instead.
‘I had spoken with Leonardo some time ago, but it was for Thiago,’ Mazinho told France Football, as quoted by Get French Football News.
‘Leonardo wanted to sign him for PSG, but Thiago had already made a deal with Liverpool.
‘We then talked about Rafa, but he was not part of Leonardo’s plans at that time. I think he must have thought about it, that he saw the nature of the opportunity and it would be a blow to sign him.
‘When he started talking again, Leonardo had changed his mind. And it all sped up on the last day. It was Monday that we had to work hard to convince both clubs.
The Ligue 1 giants signed the playmaker’s brother Rafinha instead on deadline day
‘We were scared, but thank God, five or six hours before the deadline, we made a deal. Leonardo wanted Thiago, he got Rafinha. And for Rafa, it was a dream to join such a club.’
Rafinha is still adapting to life with the Ligue 1 giants, having played just five times so far since his arrival.
The midfielder joined from Barcelona in the summer after nine years at the club – having spent time on loan with Inter Milan and Celta Vigo.
Meanwhile, Thiago has slotted in seamlessly at Liverpool after seven years with Bundesliga giants Bayern.
Despite being brothers, Rafinha and Thiago both play for different countries, with the PSG man featuring for Brazil and the Liverpool playmaker for Spain.
Rafinha and Thiago embrace after facing each other during Barcelona vs Bayern in 2015