Bayern Munich to offer Rafinha a one-year-extension

The immediate future of Rafinha remains shrouded in mystery. While not drawing the high profile attention given to the future plans of teammate Robert Lewandowski, Rafinha is nearing the end of his current contract and has been non-committal on where he will play next season.

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Per a report from SportsBild, Bayern is eager to extend the experienced back-up to Joshua Kimmich for 2018-2019, with an additional one-year option. Long rumored to want a return home to his native Brazil, Rafinha is an important veteran presence on the roster for Bayern as he brings a strong work ethic and professionalism to a talented, yet high maintenance roster.

Regardless of what Rafinha decides, Bayern has initiated its scouting on a potential replacement, who could potentially compete with players like Juan Bernat, Sebastian Rudy, or current Werder Bremen-loanee Marco Friedl for reserve time behind Kimmich.

Rafinha started his professional career in the Bundesliga with Schalke in 2005 before moving to Genoa (Serie A) in 2010. In 2011, Rafinha signed with Die Roten, where he has part of the fabric of each Bayern roster for the past seven seasons.