Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Exclusives

HomeExclusivesEnglish Premier LeagueArsenalLiverpoolManchester City

Arsenal have told Barcelona they’d be interested in signing £55m player

Charles Jones

Sat 14 December 2024 12:15, UK

• EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey

Barcelona’s recent financial difficulties are well-documented, and, over the years, Barca have flirted with selling a number of star players.

Indeed, Liverpool looked at signing Frenkie de Jong at one point, there were murmurs that Barcelona needed to sell Jules Kounde in the summer, while Ferran Torres has been linked with Arsenal as of late.

Somehow, Barcelona have managed to keep their major sales to a minimum in recent years and the core of this side has managed to stay together.

Ousmane Dembele and Antonie Griezmann are the main casualties from Camp Nou in recent years, but their time at Barcelona had come to an almost natural end in any case.

Of course, the departure of Lionel Messi on a free transfer was a bitter pill to swallow too, and is the most drastic measure Barcelona have had to take in this time.

Raphinha has been the subject of interest from many Premier League clubs in recent years, and those clubs have once again come calling ahead of the January transfer window.

• READ MORE: Darren Bent says £25m player must leave Arsenal after what Mikel Arteta has done this week

Premier League clubs inform Barcelona they’d happily sign Raphinha

TBR Football understands that a number of Premier League clubs have confirmed to Barcelona that they are still interested in star winger Raphinha – should they need to raise funds, but the Spanish giants have dismissed any notion they need to sell.

Raphinha has emerged as one of Europe’s top players and has been a stand-out performer for Barca this season, and the former Leeds man continues to be on the radar of a host of Premier League clubs.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City all enquired about Raphinha in the summer and they remain in contact with intermediaries.

The news of Dani Olmo’s situation has alerted them once again, and we understand enquiries around Raphinha have been made in the last week, but Barca are insistent that there is no question of their Brazilian leaving.

Barca have issues over the registration of Olmo – their high-profile summer signing was only registered temporarily until December 31, but to finalise his registration Barcelona need to increase revenue or make further savings around the squad.

In theory, if Olmo’s registration was not finalised by the end of the year, he could leave on a free transfer due to a clause in his contract, but that is not being considered by the player at this point.

Barca have a new deal in place with Nike which they hope will be finalised in the next week and would solve their issues over Olmo, also putting to bed any notion that Raphinha would need to be sold.

Raphinha stats this season

It’s not hard at all to understand why Arsenal, Liverpool and City are all keen on Raphinha.

Raphinha earned massive praise during his time in the Premier League with Leeds United, and he’s only got better since his move to Barcelona.

Indeed, Raphinha has been operating at a world-class level this season, and his numbers are up there with the best players in Europe.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Raphinha is operating at a Ballon d’Or level this term, and he could be just the signing for any of these teams in January to help catapult them towards the Premier League title.

Raphinha is a Premier League-proven commodity, and he’d fit like a glove in any of these teams.

Arsenal have been accused of over-using Bukayo Saka as of late, while Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool is up in the air, so both teams do potentially need a new quality right winger.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, City and Liverpool, Raphinha seemingly isn’t going to be returning to England anytime soon as he remains a vital part of Hansi Flick’s plans at Barcelona.