Brazilian footballer Rafinha is reportedly keen to remain at Inter Milan next season, according to his father. The midfielder has grown into his game since his loan move from Barcelona last summer and his father Mazinho, a former Serie A player himself, believes the Nerazzurri are the perfect club for his son to progress.

Speaking on FC Inter News, he said: “Everything depends on what Inter want to do. Whether they qualify for the Europa League or Champions League is irrelevant. For me, it makes sense for the Nerazzurri to keep such an important player like Rafa.He is young and has a big future ahead of him. All of us are happy in Milan at the moment, but we must wait.Does he wants to stay? Absolutely, we’re very happy at Inter. The team are giving value to his football.”

Inter have been lingering in and around the Champions League positions for the campaign and they are currently two points adrift of fourth-placed Lazio, who host them in the final game of the Serie A season. As such, the Nerazzurri need to win their upcoming home game against Sassuolo in order to give them the opportunity to beat Lazio in the curtain closer.

Luciano Spalletti’s side looked like genuine challengers for the Serie A crown during the first half of the season but their form supposedly nose-dived following the turn of the year alongside AS Roma. Nevertheless, the club can take some positives from their progress when compared to the previous season where they failed to qualify for Europe.

With their fifth spot, the Nerazzurri will at least make the Europa League group stage at the worst situation and this should be considered as a sign of improvement under Spalletti. Inter have won three of the previous four league games with their only defeat coming in a late 3-2 loss to Juventus.