Barcelona face a tough task this summer as they aim to trim their wage bill and adhere to La Liga’s 1:1 rule in order to bring in new players.
This means they will likely need to bid farewell to some current players to make room for fresh talent.
Among those potentially on the chopping block are several Barcelona players and despite his recent strong performances, Raphinha is one such player who could find himself heading for the exit door.
Interestingly enough, according to a report from Fichajes, there could be a war spreading out for the Brazil international in London, as Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Chelsea are all running the same race.
It must be remembered that when Raphinha moved to Barcelona, Chelsea were equally in the chase. In fact, the Brazilian’s representatives met with the Blues, but the lure of playing for the Blaugrana proved too hard to refuse.
However, with Barcelona in dire financial straits, club president Joan Laporta is contemplating selling Raphinha by the season’s end to ease their burden.
This development has reignited interest from Tottenham, Arsenal, and Chelsea, all keen on securing the talented Brazilian winger for their squads.
Although Tottenham have expressed interest, they too face financial and logistical hurdles that may impede their pursuit of the winger.
On the other hand, Saudi clubs have emerged as contenders as well, offering a lucrative €100 million deal, including variables.
Despite the tempting offer, though, Raphinha appears inclined to return to the Premier League, where he has previously excelled with Leeds United, only if he were to leave.
Considering his career progression, a move to Saudi Arabia could be viewed as a step backwards, potentially swaying him towards joining Tottenham, Arsenal, or Chelsea as they strive to maintain their status among Europe’s elite.
