Arsenal are planning to pounce ahead in the line to sign Leeds United’s Raphinha in the coming weeks. is. Mikel Arteta likes the winger and has therefore asked the Gunners to acquire his services this summer. However, Spanish giants FC Barcelona are also in the race to sign Raphinha, and so far are leading it as well. But according to a fresh report from journalist Pete O’Rourke, Arsenal are still trying to snatch the winger away from Barca.
Barcelona have reportedly agreed on personal terms with Raphinha since February for a summer move. Further on, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the same as well. Raphinha too has Barcelona as his priority destination for next season. However, a dispute over the transfer fee with Leeds is keeping Barca from completing the deal. Leeds have set the price tag of their winger at £60 million, and are unwilling to settle for anything less. Barcelona’s financial struggles are not unknown due to which the Catalans cannot fork out such an amount. Arsenal are aware of the situation and wants to make the most out of this opportunity to sign the winger.
Journalist suggests Arsenal are preparing a fresh bid for the winger
Though Arsenal are rooting for a transfer, this won’t be their first official approach for the Leeds winger. According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Arsenal had their first bid rejected by Leeds for Raphinha. However, the journalist further revealed that Arsenal’s bid ‘fell well below LUFC (Leeds United FC) valuation & has now been rejected’. Nonetheless, Arsenal are determined to go again for Raphinha, according to Pete O’Rourke.
Raphinha is in high demand this summer after heavily impressing Leeds last season. The winger scored 11 goals and further assisted 3 to help Leeds avoid the relegation. Raphinha also amassed an impressive 2 dribbles, 2.5 shots, and 2 chances created per game in his 35 Premier League appearances last season. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta feels the winger has enough experience in the Premier League which could help his young squad.
Pete O’Rourke while recently talking to GIVEMESPORT has said,
“I think it would be a huge coup. Most people expected Raphinha, if he was to leave Leeds, to sign for Barcelona, but we know their financial problems are stopping them from making moves, so Arsenal are trying to steal in and get Raphinha.”
While Arsenal seems confident of returning with a new bid for the winger, Raphinha has reportedly set his heart over playing in the Champions League. As a result, the 25-year-old prefers a move to Barcelona than Arsenal. On the other hand, Raphinha’s role in the Arsenal team is questioned since the Gunners already have Bukayo Saka on the right wing. Nonetheless, both Saka and Raphinha have the ability to shift their positions according to the team’s needs. Moreover, Arteta would feel blessed to have a quality-filled squad depth for next season’s packed schedule.
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