Newcastle United have reportedly ‘made an approach’ for Barcelona winger Raphinha and are willing to smash their wage structure to bring him in.
The Brazilian joined Barcelona from Leeds United for around €58million last summer.
He snubbed interest from Chelsea after they had a bid accepted by their Premier League rivals.
Arsenal made two offers to sign Raphinha, but neither were accepted by the Whites.
His first season at the Nou Camp has not been very successful, but it would be extremely harsh to say the 26-year-old has flopped.
In 31 appearances in La Liga, Raphinha has scored seven goals and provided six assists.
Having shone for Leeds in the Premier League, he is being linked with a return to England ahead of the summer transfer window.
Barcelona are reportedly open to selling two or three first-team players in order to raise some funds with the club’s hierarchy desperately looking to improve their dire financial situation.
Having failed to prove himself as an indispensable member of Xavi’s squad, Raphinha is one player the Blaugrana would be willing to offload.
This has caught the attention of Arsenal, Newcastle and Chelsea.
According to Spanish outlet Sport (via Sport Witness), Newcastle have approached the player.
Sunday’s edition of the newspaper said the Magpies ‘have made an approach for Raphinha’ and are willing to offer him a contract exceeding the €12m he currently earns at Barcelona.
They also mentioned Arsenal and Chelsea, and there is more in on Monday’s front page (also via Sport Witness).
Barcelona are said to be willing to listen to offers in the region of €80m and believe they can receive that for their Brazilian forward.
Newcastle hope to ‘open formal negotiations immediately’. Meanwhile, Barcelona and Raphinha are ‘going to negotiate with the aim of obtaining the maximum possible economic return’.
With Barca looking for funds and eyeing up the signing of Lionel Messi, the former Leeds star feels like this summer could be the time to leave.
In order to raise funds, the Catalan club feel ‘obliged to sell’ this summer and think Raphinha could be an ‘essential’ sale.
Champions League football is sure to be a deciding factor for the player. Chelsea will not compete in Europe at all next season, while Arsenal definitely will be in Europe’s premier competition, with Newcastle hoping to join them.
The Gunners could do with another forward but as expected to prioritise the signing of a new…
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