An FC Barcelona star is against receiving interest from Saudi Arabia as per a possible transfer to … [+]
An FC Barcelona star is against receiving interest from Saudi Arabia as per a possible transfer to its Pro League this summer according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.
The newspaper explains on Saturday that the La Liga giants this week received a new offer from the Middle Eastern country, whose government-backed Public Investment Fund has control of four of its domestic championship’s top teams.
Raphinha put in a strong shift on Tuesday as he helped the Catalans reach the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in four years.
Early in the first half of a last 16 second leg meeting with Napoli, he hit the post before Fermin Lopez smashed home in the rebound in an eventual 3-1 win that guaranteed a 4-2 aggregate win and showdown with Kylian Mbappe’s Paris Saint-Germain in the next round.
Raphinha went off to a standing ovation from the Montjuic Stadium crowd, but his plight hasn’t been easy since joining from Leeds United in a deal worth over $60 million two summers ago.
The Brazilian has struggled to maintain top form despite hitting double figures in goals and assists in his maiden term where Barca won the league.
Injuries have got in the way of his progress this term, where he has also seemed to have lost his regular right wing on the place to 16-year-old Lamine Yamal.
Following a goal and assist against Getafe last month, in his first start back from a knock, Raphinha welcomed the competition from Lamine, who he tipped to become one of the best players in the world.
In the next transfer window, it is widely expected that Barca will need two player sales to navigate Financial Fair Play limits and perhaps make signings of their own.
Raphinha is one of president Joan Laporta’s most sellable assests that is not an “untouchable” star such as Ronald Araujo or Gavi.
Even so, SPORT reports that Barca hasn’t responded to the Saudi offer for Raphinha which contains “dizzying numbers” that could test most clubs’ resolve.
Though an exact figure isn’t provided, the bid is said to “far exceed” Raphinha’s price tag put at $87 million (€80 million) a few months ago.
Even so, accepting an offer from the Saudis is one thing, and getting Raphinha, who has a contract until 2027, to entertain a switch to the Middle East another entirely.
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