Arsenal ‘see availability’ of £60m winger as ‘too good to turn down’ despite ‘sole focus’ on midfield
Barcelona are ‘willing’ to sell Raphinha this summer and Arsenal ‘see his sudden availability as an opportunity too good to turn down’, according to a report.
Raphinha made the move to Catalonia last summer after snubbing interest from London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.
It was no surprise to see so much interest in the Brazilian international after two brilliant seasons at Leeds United.
His form was a huge reason the Whites avoided relegation in 2021-22 and he has been sorely missed this term as Javi Gracia looks to keep the West Yorkshire outfit in the Premier League.
Going into the 2022 summer transfer window, it was evident that Barcelona was Raphinha’s dream move, though there were doubts the La Liga giants would be able to afford him.
Arsenal were the first club to lodge a bid for the player and they were soon joined in the race by Chelsea, who, unlike Mikel Arteta’s side, had a bid accepted by Leeds.
The Leeds hierarchy went back on their word with the Blues when Barcelona came in and offered similar terms, however.
Raphinha got his dream move to the Nou Camp and Arsenal didn’t end up signing a winger last summer.
Arteta brought in Leandro Trossard from Brighton in January but remains in the market for another wide player.
Having scored 10 and assisted 11 in 44 appearances this season, Raphinha could be on the move this summer.
Links to Arsenal do not seem to be going away and it is expected that they will reignite their interest should the Brazilian become available.
The signing of a new midfielder remains Arteta’s top priority, however. West Ham’s Declan Rice is believed to be the Gunners’ number-one target.
As Barca ‘eye up’ a move for club legend Lionel Messi, they will have to sell a few first-team players so they can afford him.
‘Raphinha is one of many players they are willing to sell’ and would be happy to accept a fee between £50-60million.
Arsenal were prepared to pay close to that last summer, but it is unclear whether or not Arteta will have those sort of funds available to sign a winger when Rice is expected to cost at least £70m.
The report notes that Raphinha ‘is not a priority’, though the Spanish manager and the club’s board ‘see his sudden availability as an opportunity too good to turn down’.
Should the Gunners ‘land their top targets quickly’, they could make their move to sign the former Leeds star.
‘Arsenal’s focus is solely on strengthening their midfield’ and ‘prepared to spend big’ on Rice or Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.
Both midfielders are ‘top’ of Arteta’s wishlist after the club had two bids to sign the latter rejected in the winter transfer window.
The Gunners are ‘increasingly confident’ they can sign Rice ahead of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool, the report adds.
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