Arsenal raise offer to €90 million in attempt to sign 27-year-old Barcelona star: Reports
Arsenal are reportedly willing to make a €90 million move to sign Raphinha from Barcelona. The Gunners are keen on getting the Brazilian after they had earlier failed to sign him from Leeds United in 2022.
As per a report in El Nacional, Mikel Arteta wants to add an attacker in the summer and has set sights on Raphinha. He believes that the in-form winger is ideal for his side and is convincing the board to spend big on the 27-year-old.
The Gunners wanted to sign him in 2022 as well but missed out on luring him from Leeds United. They were in talks with the EFL Championship side but were beaten to an agreement by Chelsea. However, the Blues also missed out on the Brazilian as he opted to join Barcelona.
The Catalan side are not looking to sell the winger, just months after trying to ship him to the Saudi Pro League. They wanted to sign Nico Williams as his replacement but could not agree a deal with the Athletic Bilbao star.
Barcelona are still interested in bringing in a winger and have been linked with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Rafael Leao. Arsenal have also been linked with the two players, but the Gunners are focused on getting the Brazilian more than the Barcelona targets.
Liverpool urged by their former player to sign Arsenal target from Barcelona
Former Liverpool star Jermaine Pennant was talking to Instant Casino earlier this month where he stated that the Reds should sign Raphinha. He believes that the Arsenal target is the perfect replacement for Mohamed Salah (via Liverpool Echo):
"If Mohamed Salah does leave, I can see Raphinha returning to the Premier League in a Liverpool shirt to replace him. He's quick and fits that same style of play on the right-hand side and cutting in; he's very tricky, and that's what Liverpool have now with Luis Diaz and Salah. He's got that eye for goal which we've seen from him at Barcelona, where he's doing really well – scoring a hat-trick against Bayern Munich and playing a big part in their recent 4-0 El Clasico win against Real Madrid."
"His experience at Leeds would make him a good fit at Liverpool – he's comfortable in the Premier League, and he managed to make an impact and score goals there despite them struggling as a team. You'd imagine that a team like Liverpool would step him up a level with how attacking they are and how comfortable they are going forward," he added.
Raphinha has been in fine form this season and has scored 12 goals and given 10 assists in 17 matches across competitions. The Arsenal target has five goals in four UEFA Champions League matches this season.