Report: Rafinha not heading back to Brazil ... yet

The dependable and versatile Rafinha, whose ability to play both right and left back is a key part of Bayern Munich’s depth, was denied a potential January transfer to Palmeiras in his native Brazil because Bayern will not agree to release him according to tz, which cited Brazilian source Globo Esporte. Globo also reported Bayern is keen to extend Rafinha’s contract, which ends in June 2018, by an addition two years.

This is quite a turn of events considering less than one month ago Rafinha’s exclusive representative in Brazil, Lincoln, revealed in an interview with Radio Itatiaia that negotiations would start in December with Bayern to see if the club will give him permission to leave to play in Brazil.

Rafinha recently made his 300th appearance in the Bundesliga, and since moving to Bayern has won five Bundesliga titles, three DFB Cups and the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League, which famously completed the treble.