According to Sport, Tottenham Hotspur have joined bitter London rivals West Ham United in the pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Rafinha.

What's the story?

West Ham were recently credited with an interest in Rafinha, who has been with Barcelona since 2006, and has gone on to make 79 appearances for the Spanish giants in all competitions.

A long-term knee injury saw Rafinha miss the first half of last season, but he returned to action in January, and moved on loan to Inter Milan for the rest of the 2017-18 campaign.

Italian giants Inter are believed to be shying away from a £31m move for Rafinha, and West Ham are believed to be in the race for the two-time Brazil international.

It would be some signing for the Hammers if new head coach Manuel Pellegrini managed to pull it off, and there is no question that he would improve the London club.

However, according to Sport, Tottenham are looking to beat their bitter London rivals to the signature of the versatile midfielder.

Would Rafinha fit in at Tottenham?

Rafinha might be surplus to requirements at Barcelona, but he has scored 11 times in 79 appearances for one of the biggest teams in world football.

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He will not turn 26 until early next year, meanwhile, and there is no question that he has the qualities required to be a success in the Premier League.

A gifted footballer with a wonderful passing range and an eye for goal, Rafinha would certainly complement the likes of Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Harry Kane in the final third of the field.

Rafinha, who is valued at £25.2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, only scored two Serie A goals for Inter last term, but it is worth remembering that he is still recovering from a long-term knee problem.

Tottenham will not be able to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United in the transfer market this summer, but they could pull off a coup by beating West Ham to Rafinha.