FC Barcelona want €100million for Brazilian winger Raphinha with Arsenal interested in striking a deal in January, according to reports.
The Gunners are keen to sign a new attacking player this month and had previously targeted Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Mikel Arteta’s side had lodged three bids to sign the Ukrainian winger, however, Shakhtar Donetsk did not accept their terms.
Chelsea swooped in and quickly secured the signing of Mudryk, meeting Shakhtar’s hefty €100m valuation.
The Blues will reportedly pay €70m up front with €30m in add-ons with the player penning a whopping seven-and-a-half-year contract, with the option for another year.
Having missed out on their top target, Arsenal are expected to bring in a different attacking player.
Several players have already been thrown into the mix by various outlets. Brighton winger Leandro Trossard has been ‘offered’ to the Gunners, according to Miguel Delaney.
Arsenal were expected to sign a new forward in the winter transfer window but with Gabriel Jesus out until March, Arteta is very eager to bolster what he has described a “thin” squad.
In the summer, technical director Edu had expressed an interest in signing Raphinha from Leeds United, but knew the Brazilian was holding out for a move to Barcelona.
Chelsea actually had a bid accepted for Raphinha – in another case of them hijacking a deal to sign an Arsenal target – but Leeds waited for the La Liga giants to cough up the cash.
Raphinha’s time in Catalonia has not been great. He has only started seven La Liga games this term, completing the full 90 minutes of a match on one occasion.
He has also failed to play a full Champions League match this term with Xavi having lots of attacking options at his disposal.
A recent report stated that Barcelona are willing to sell the Brazil international, Ansu Fati and former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres.
Arsenal have also been linked with Torres and knowing Barca’s financial situation, they will probably offload one of those three in January.
However, the Gunners will have to pay €100m if they want to secure the signing of Raphinha, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.
Having opted against signing Mudryk for the same fee, it would be extremely surprising to see Arsenal meet that valuation.
Mundo Deportivo have also reported that Raphinha is ‘in the sights’ of Arsenal.
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