holder of Barcelona in the last matches, the Brazilian Raphinha was close to leaving the team in the January transfer window. According to the newspaper Sportthe Catalans turned down an offer of 70 million euros (R$ 382.6 at current exchange rates) from Arsenal by the 26-year-old player.
🔵🔴 | #FCB
💸 Barça rejected an offer of 70 million for Raphinha
👉 Arsenal submitted an offer in the winter market for the Brazilian
✍️ @Alfremartinezzhttps://t.co/CuFvJMQwty
— SPORT Diary (@sport) February 23, 2023
The forward arrived in Spain in the middle of last year, but struggled to put on good performances. Hired by Barça for 58 million euros (R$ 317 million), Raphinha failed to establish himself among the starters and could be traded to alleviate the club’s financial situation.
The biggest interest in the striker was Arsenal. The English team has been monitoring the player since July, when Raphinha was playing for Leeds United. However, Barcelona turned down the offer believing that the Brazilian could still be useful to the squad.
With Dembelé injured, the number 22 got another chance in the starting XI and showed why his signing was requested by coach Xavi. In the first leg Europa League against Manchester United, Raphinha was responsible for a goal and an assist in the 2-2 draw at Camp Nou.
Revealed by Avai, the right winger left Brazilian football early on towards Europe. On the Old Continent, Raphinha went through Vitória de Guimarães, Sporting, Rennes and Leeds United before arriving at Barcelona in July 2022. This season, he has seven goals and nine assists in 32 matches.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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