Rashford gets fresh Barcelona hope as Raphinha ‘praying’ for Saudi move

22 Jun 2026 08:13 BST | 5 min read

Marcus Rashford, Barcelona, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Marcus Rashford’s hopes of joining Barcelona on a permanent basis have improved in light of revelations that Raphinha is “praying” to leave Camp Nou this summer.

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The deadline for Barca to trigger Rashford’s €30 million buyout clause in his loan from Manchester United passed last week, but the England international suddenly stands a greater chance of completing his dream switch following revelations from Brazil.

These concern Blaugrana winger Raphinha, who it is claimed is going through a personal crisis that is driving his desire to leave.

Compared

Marcus Rashford

F, M (L)

Barcelona

Marcus Rashford

F, M (L)

Barcelona

VS

Raphinha

F, M (L), AM (R)

Barcelona

Raphinha

F, M (L), AM (R)

Barcelona

€38.6M	ETV	€69.6M
€34.7M - €42.5M	ETV Range	€62.6M - €76.6M
28 years old (31 Oct, 1997)	Age	29 years old (14 Dec, 1996)
England	Nationality	Brazil

Vampeta, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2022 who is now a pundit, has explained that he has learned of the 29-year-old’s problems via the player’s entourage.

“Raphinha is going through serious family and economic problems. He is praying to be able to go to Al Hilal; he is having a very bad time,” the former midfielder revealed on the podcast ‘Red Cast’ (via Sport).

While Raphinha, who will miss Brazil’s next World Cup match against Scotland because of a hamstring injury, has offered no official response to Vampeta’s claims, Igor Padilha, who is close to the Barcelona star claimed the pundits comments are ‘lies’.

Raphinha to Saudi rumours

Raphinha has been persistently linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League for much of the last two years, with the latest claims from Brazil suggesting an astronomical €170 million offer will be made for the former Rennes and Leeds United winger. It was added that he would quadruple his salary.

Speaking in October 2025, he reflected on Saudi’s bid for him in the summer of 2024, stating: “The offer we received from Saudi Arabia really swayed me; it would solve my personal life, my parents', my son's, and many other people's problems.”

Rashford an obvious alternative

Should Raphinha leave Barcelona, Rashford would be a natural alternative, having impressed at Camp Nou for much of the last season. Indeed, the deal would solve many of the Catalans’ financial issues and would unlock the type of funds required to pay the Englishman’s wages – one of the major stumbling blocks to completing a €30m deal.

Barca, however, may be forced to pay in excess of their initial agreement. United now hope to raise more like €40m from Rashford’s sale, with several Premier League clubs thought to be interested in a move for the winger, who scored in England’s World Cup opener against Croatia.

Expert opinion: Raphinha will be on his way

The possibility is certainly one that Spanish football expert Terry Gibson sees as possible.

“I think Rashford will stay at Barcelona,” he told TalkSport.

“I think they're trying to do a deal on the cheap to try and get him on the loan again.

“I'm surprised at the Anthony Gordon signing, but I'm beginning to think now that Raphinha might be on his way.

“He's had a few seasons at Barcelona where he struggled and he had one spectacular season.

“Last season wasn't his best due to injury, kept getting injured, about three or four muscle injuries, he's now injured again in the World Cup for Brazil.

“And at the age of 29, I think there's a big offer hanging from Saudi Arabia, which might entice the player and it might entice Barcelona.

“So I think that they might actually get the money that they paid on Anthony Gordon back from selling Raphinha.

“And I think that's the way forward, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Anthony Gordon and Rashford at Barcelona next season.”

This scenario would no doubt suit Rashford, who has made it clear that a permanent move to Barcelona is his perfect scenario.

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