Arsenal are moving on from Mykhaylo Mudryk by exploring a deal for Barcelona winger Raphinha, according to a report from Italy.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA: Raphinha of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the Super Copa de España semi-final match between Real Betis and FC Barcelona at King Fahd International Stadium on January 12, 2023. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA: Raphinha of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the Super Copa de España semi-final match between Real Betis and FC Barcelona at King Fahd International Stadium on January 12, 2023. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

With Chelsea moving to hijack Arsenal’s deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk, offering significantly more to Shakhtar Donetsk and to the player than the Gunners were willing to give, technical director Edu now needs to look at other targets in January.

Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari reports for SportItalia that Edu has made enquiries for Raphinha of Barcelona, having missed out on signing the winger in the summer.

For now, the contact is simply exploratory, to understand the possible feasibility of a deal. Arsenal are yet to make any offers for the player.

Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard confirms that Edu has made contact with Raphinha’s agent, Deco, over a possible January move.

Kinsella adds that Raphinha could be made available by Barcelona, and Arsenal have continued to monitor his situation since their summer attempts to sign him.

Brazil's Raphinha celebrates after scoring against Paraguay during the South American qualification football match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on February 1, 2022. (Photo by DOUGLAS MAGNO/AFP via Getty Images)
Brazil’s Raphinha celebrates after scoring against Paraguay during the South American qualification football match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on February 1, 2022. (Photo by DOUGLAS MAGNO/AFP via Getty Images)

Though primarily a right-winger, Raphinha is also capable of playing on the left, and he has experience in the Premier League from his time with Leeds United.

With three goals and five assists in 22 games for Barcelona, it doesn’t sound as if the Brazilian international’s spell with his new club is going terribly, but perhaps not as well as they’d hoped.

Barcelona’s bizarre financial situation seemingly forces them into these quick turnovers, such as their sale of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea just months after they signed him from Arsenal. This could be one to watch in the remainder of the month.

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