Sunday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo reports on Raphinha’s future, or otherwise, at Barcelona.
Since the Brazilian arrived from Leeds United there’s been endless reports of a potential return to the Premier League. For a long time it felt like Barcelona, and certainly their local media, didn’t really rate the attacker enough.
That has changed since, although it’s clear he’s up for sale if a suitable offer comes in.
Mundo Deportivo cover claims from England of Arsenal being willing to offer €50m to secure the player, with Edu being behind the club’s attempt.
There’s an insistence such an amount isn’t enough, and it’s claimed there’s been an offer from Al Hilal. The Saudi club’s bid is put at €65m, which is thought to be just about enough to convince the Blaugrana.
However, Raphinha has no intention of moving to Saudi Arabia.
The report from Mundo Deportivo, a Catalan newspaper, feels like an effort to get the news out that €65m is acceptable.
He could probably go for €60m or even less if Arsenal want to throw themselves into pressure negotiations.
Barcelona are keen on Nico Williams and Dani Olmo and need money to fund those deals.
