Arsenal are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Raphinha, the Barcelona winger whose stellar form this season has caught the eye of several Premier League clubs once again.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal are using intermediaries to assess the feasibility of a deal for the 28-year-old, although Barcelona are reportedly unwilling to entertain the idea of a transfer.
Raphinha’s current form has been nothing short of exceptional, with 17 goals and 10 assists in just 24 games this season. Averaging a goal contribution every 73 minutes, the Brazilian has established himself as one of Barcelona’s key attacking outlets.
It is little surprise, then, that Mikel Arteta’s side, along with Liverpool and Manchester City, are monitoring his situation closely.
Arsenal’s interest in Raphinha is not new. In the summer of 2022, the Gunners made an attempt to bring the former Leeds United star to the Emirates. At the time, Arsenal had reportedly submitted a bid for the winger, but Barcelona’s offer—paired with Raphinha’s preference to play for the Catalan club—proved decisive.
Despite missing out, Arsenal’s pursuit underlined Arteta’s admiration for the player and reports linking Arsenal with another move have never been far away.
The potential acquisition of Raphinha would represent a significant statement of intent from Arsenal. His directness, creativity, and goal-scoring prowess align perfectly with Arteta’s attacking philosophy. Yet, prising him away from Barcelona will undoubtedly be a complex undertaking, particularly given the club’s reluctance to sell and Raphinha’s importance to their title ambitions.
For Arsenal, testing the waters through intermediaries could be a calculated move to gauge Barcelona’s resolve and Raphinha’s interest in returning to the Premier League. Whether this renewed interest leads to an official bid remains to be seen, but with Raphinha in the form of his life, Arsenal’s pursuit reflects their ambition to compete with Europe’s elite.