Barcelona’s financial issues are well documented with the Catalan club struggling to register players for La Liga in recent seasons. Despite this, it hasn’t stopped them from spending with the club shelling out £51m to sign RB Leipzig playmaker Dani Olmo this summer transfer window.
A signing of such high magnitude is likely to mean that the Spanish club might have to make sacrifices. With La Liga beginning this weekend, the Catalan club are running out of time to register players before the Valencia game and could be looking to make sales. When such a scenario arises, one player that they always look to scapegoat is Raphinha.
The Brazilian winger is into his third season at Barcelona and despite being one of their best attackers in some trying times for the club, he is yet to win over the Blaugrana fanbase. Thus, every time Barcelona are told that they need to make a sale, the first name that comes up on the chopping block is that of the ex-Leeds United man.
Barcelona still have players like Clement Lenglet they are desperately looking to get rid of. The Frenchman, whose high-paying contract was a parting gift from ex-president Josep Maria Bartomeu is not a part of the Spanish club’s plans. With no way to sell him though, Deco & co. might be forced to look at more sellable options.
Arsenal presented with Raphinha opportunity
Raphinha at 27 is one of Barcelona’s more sellable assets. He is the perfect player for the Spanish side to sell without hurting the sentiments of their fans. The Blaugrana faithful do not like with when a La Masia graduate is sold but are unlikely to mind the club selling the Brazilian if a suitable offer comes in.
Given Barcelona’s need to offload players, Arsenal have been presented with the opportunity to sign Raphinha this summer. He is one player they can get a decent sum of money for. The player himself is no stranger to the Premier League having played in Marcelo Bielsa’s impressive Leeds United team and might entertain a move to the Emirates.
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Predominantly a right-winger, Raphinha has learnt the art of playing on the left wing under Xavi Hernandez. The 27-year-old increasingly looks comfortable playing on either side and has also started shooting and passing more and more with his weaker right foot. He has also gained the confidence to beat his man even when playing on the left.
If Arsenal were to consider this opportunity to sign the Barcelona winger, he could provide backup to both Saka and Martinelli. Of course, Raphinha is likely to expect being a starter at any club he joins but between the two Brazilians and the Englishman, they could take care of Arteta’s wing over the course of the season.
It all comes down to how much Barcelona are asking to part ways with Raphinha. If the fee seems reasonable for a player of his calibre, the Gunners could seriously consider a transfer for him. Any club would be lucky to have someone as passionate as the Brazilian and if we were to sign him, we can be rest assured that he will defend the Gunners badge with his heart and soul and leave no stone unturned in making us the best team in the world.
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