Barcelona Transfer News Roundup: Catalans offer £25m for Portuguese ace, club receive €65m Saudi offer for Raphinha, and more - July 31, 2024
Barcelona are eyeing multiple changes to their squad after handing the reins of the first team to Hansi Flick. The German tactician took over from Xavi at the end of last season and has been tasked with getting the club back to their heydays.
Meanwhile, the Catalans are ready to offer a £25m proposal for a Portuguese full-back. Elsewhere, the Spanish giants have received a €65m offer for Raphinha from Saudi Arabia.
On that note, let's look at the major Barcelona transfer stories from July 31, 2024.
Barcelona offer £25m for Joao Cancelo
Barcelona have offered Manchester City a £25m package for Joao Cancelo, according to The Daily Star. The Portuguese right-back spent last season on loan at Camp Nou and was impressive for the Catalan side.
Cancelo registered four goals and five assists from 42 games across competitions, but is back at the Etihad this summer. However, he is no longer part of Pep Guardiola's plans and City are ready to let him go for around £25m this year.
The La Liga giants want him back but do not have the finances to complete a permanent deal. They are now pushing to secure a second loan tenure for the 30-year-old. Barcelona are willing to offer £7m in loan fees, with an £18 obligation to buy at the end of next season.
The Premier League champions would prefer to offload the player permanently this summer. However, Cancelo has his heart set on a return to Camp Nou, which could force their hand to accept another loan move.
Catalans receive €65m Saudi offer for Raphinha
Barcelona have received a €65m offer from Saudi Arabia to let go of Raphinha this summer, according to Mundo Deportivo. The Brazilian's future is up in the air this summer after dropping down the pecking order at Camp Nou.
The emergence of Lamine Yamal could tempt the Catalans to listen to offers for the 27-year-old. Raphinha scored 10 goals and set up 13 more from 37 games across competitions last season and isn't short of admirers.
Recent reports have suggested that Arsenal are considering a move for the Brazilian. However, Raphinha also has admirers in the Middle East, and the La Liga giants have now received an impressive offer to let him go.
Raphinha could also be tempted to move to Saudi Arabia, where he can also receive a fat paycheck. However, the 27-year-old wants to stay at Barcelona, so his suitors will have to be at their persuasive best to convince him.
Robert Lewandowski offers support to Vitor Roque
Robert Lewandowski has admitted that it was hard for Vitor Roque to settle in at Barcelona after arriving in January. The Brazilian teenager arrived at Camp Nou at the start of the year as a possible successor to the Polish striker.
However, Roque has struggled for form since his arrival and has failed to live up to expectations. Recent reports have suggested that the Catalans are willing to consider his departure this summer.
The La Liga giants are under financial distress and are hoping to raise funds through player sales. With Lewandowski firmly in Hansi Flick's plans, Barcelona are apparently open to the Brazilian's departure this year.
Speaking recently, as relayed by SPORT, the Pole urged the 19-year-old to use the summer to assess his situation.
“Coming to Barça is a big step for anyone, a new culture… and although Portuguese is similar to Spanish, it is still a different language. You have to trust in yourself, work hard,” said Lewandowski.
He continued:
“The summer is always a good time to analyse what one did wrong, what one can do better. He has enough talent, but what happens or can happen obviously depends on him.”
Recent reports have suggested that the player turned down a move to Saudi Arabia this summer.