- 15 hours ago
Saudi reacts to Vini Jr contract bomb: €300m offer for Raphinha
Robin Bairner
- 23 Apr 2025 05:45 CDT
- 4 min read
News
Vini Jr has stunned the Saudi Pro League by agreeing a new contract with Real Madrid, but Raphinha has emerged as a ‘Plan B’, with a €300 million bid planned for the Barcelona star.
The Saudi Pro League has seen superstars Mo Salah and Vini Jr knock them back already this year, but now it is preparing a massive move for Raphinha, who has emerged as a leading contender to win the Ballon d’Or thanks to his stellar performances with Barca.
Current ETV
Raphinha
F, M (L), AM (R)
Barcelona
Raphinha
F, M (L), AM (R)
Barcelona
ETV Range
€68.9M - €84.2M
An incredible package worth up to €300m is being prepared for the Brazil international, according to Sport.
Al-Hilal are making what is described as a ‘strong push’ for the 28-year-old as they attempt to replace Neymar in their roster.
A transfer bid worth €100m is set to be offered to Barcelona, while the winger will receive a four-year contract that is worth €50m per year, taking the total value of the deal up to an eye-watering €300m.
Raphinha appears to be a like-for-like alternative to Vini Jr, who it appears the Saudi Pro League has missed out on. The Real Madrid ace has agreed a new deal with the Bernabeu club when it appeared that negotiations would be complicated.
Barcelona to fight for Raphinha
The Catalan reports indicate that Barca do not intend to sell one of their offensive aces, despite being in a tricky financial position. Nevertheless, they are prepared to let the final decision over the move fall on the shoulders of Raphinha.
The former Leeds United star does not want to leave Barcelona, with his idea that he competes at the highest level in the game. Raphinha has not ruled out the possibility of moving to the Saudi Pro League at some stage in the future if the offer is right.
Sport stresses, however, that the player’s contract will come into consideration here. Raphinha’s current deal is set to expire in 2027, and negotiations over a fresh agreement are at a standstill, with his present salary described as being “outdated”.
While Barcelona want to offer him a comparatively short contract to boost his earnings, the player wants a longer deal.
Saudi are hopeful that they can take advantage of the impasse with a €100m bid that could shock the transfer market, although Raphinha has also been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea offered him.
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