'Arsenal could revisit Raphinha transfer'

8 Apr 2023 18:55 BST
3 min read

Raphinha, Casemiro, Barcelona, Man Utd — © ProShots

Arsenal have been backed to make a bid for Brazil winger Raphinha, a year after he turned the Gunners down to sign for Barcelona.

Raphinha was a man in demand last summer after helping Leeds maintain their Premier League status with 11 goals and three assists from his 35 appearances.

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Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona all came in for him, with Barca quickly agreeing terms with the left footer after having a €58 million transfer bid accepted by the Yorkshire club.

READ: How Barcelona could line up with Lionel Messi

Raphinha has come into form after a difficult start at Camp Nou, with 10 goal-involvements to help Barca to the top of La Liga - 12 points clear of Real Madrid - but his future there is nonetheless uncertain.

Why sell Raphinha?

The Blaugrana have been told they need to reduce their debt by €200m if they want to compete next season, at the same time as desperately trying to fund Lionel Messi's return from Paris Saint-Germain, and Raphinha is one of the players they could cash in on.

Xavi: "Raphinha is a signing we wanted and he's playing well. He's making the difference with 9 assists and scoring. He's an extraordinary player. Even when there was criticism, I had no doubts that he would triumph and he's taking the team to the top." 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4gxDAt6FZS
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) February 19, 2023

Messi or not, Barca already have strength in depth in the wide attacking areas with Ousmane Dembele, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati, and Raphinha could be for sale for less than the €48.2m he is valued at by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm.

READ: Barca U-turn gives Arsenal unexpected transfer boost

"I think there's a possibility they could revisit the situation with Raphinha; it seems Arsenal sporting director Edu is a huge admirer of his fellow Brazilian," Football Insider correspondent Pete O'Rourke told GiveMeSport.

"A lot will depend on what's going on at Barcelona this summer. If they need to sell players to raise funds, which it looks likely, Raphinha could be made available on the market and I'm sure that will pique Arsenal's interest if they think they can land the former Leeds man on a cheap deal."

Arsenal's best players have arguably been wingers this season, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli the top scorers for the Premier League leaders, but their - ultimately unsuccessful - winter pursuit of Mykhailo Mudryk is testament to Mikel Arteta's desire for strength in depth in the position.