Barcelona have reportedly refused to entertain Arsenal’s approach for their Brazilian star Raphinha, according to Fichajes.
The Gunners are reportedly set on launching a strong offensive for the 27-year-old, but the Catalan giants are not willing to accept their offer.
The Brazilian winger is in blistering form, recording 12 goals and 10 assists in his first 17 matches of the season under Barcelona manager Hansi Flick. This impressive output has reignited Arsenal’s interest, as they look to strengthen their attacking options in the January window.
Reports claim that Arsenal’s proposal for Raphinha could be in the region of €90m.
However, Barcelona have made their position clear: Raphinha is not for sale for less than €100m. The club sees him as an irreplaceable asset within their current sporting project, particularly given his rapid growth in consistency and effectiveness since Flick took the helm. The German coach has had a transformative impact on Raphinha’s game, harnessing his adaptability in different attacking roles, which has turned him into a crucial part of the squad.
Arsenal’s interest in Raphinha is far from new. The North London club had previously made enquiries about signing him in 2022 when he was still at Leeds United. Edu Gaspar, Edu Gaspar, confirmed discussions with Raphinha’s agent, but the player’s preference for Barcelona scuppered any potential deal at that time.
The Gunners are apparently determined to reignite their pursuit, but I have my doubts over the veracity of this story. The Brazilian’s extensive Premier League experience certainly makes him an attractive target for Arsenal, who are eager to add more firepower to their attack, but I’d be surprised if this is where they found it.
While Raphinha has previously expressed a liking for Arsenal—publicly admitting, “I love Arsenal” in a 2023 interview—Barcelona are not keen on letting him go. With Raphinha only 27 years old and currently enjoying his best spell at the club, the Blaugrana view him as indispensable. The winger’s performances have not only cemented his status as a key figure at Camp Nou but also as one of the standout stars on the international stage.
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