Arsenal Dealt Raphinha Transfer Blow As Barcelona Look Certain To Sign Brazilian

Arsenal have been handed an enormous blow of their pursuit to signal Leeds United winger Raphinha, with the Brazil worldwide set to hitch Spanish giants Barcelona this summer time.

The 25-year-old registered 11 objectives and three assists for Leeds United this season because the Lily Whites escaped relegation by the pores and skin of their enamel, permitting the membership to demand a considerable price for the participant this summer time.

Raphinha gathered 7.15(xA) this season, however solely registered 3 assists.

In different phrases, his teammates scored 4 fewer objectives than you’d anticipate given the standard of possibilities he created for them.

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Arsenal appeared the favourites at one level to land Raphinha’s signature, however each Barcelona and Chelsea have pulled away to make it a two horse race down the ultimate stretch.

The Gunners have already accomplished the signings of highly-rated attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira from Porto, alongside offers for Matt Turner from the New England Revolution in America and 19-year-old proper winger Marquinhos from Sao Paulo.

Raphinha appears to be Barcelona’s first signing of the summer time switch window, with Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski additionally edging nearer to a transfer to the Camp Nou.

For the reason that begin of the 2020/21 Premier League season, solely two gamers have tried over 100 pictures, created over 100 possibilities, and accomplished over 100 take-ons – Sadio Mane, who just lately made the swap from Liverpool to Bayern Munich, and Raphinha.

While Chelsea are additionally in scorching pursuit of the winger alongside engaged on offers for Raheem Sterling, Nathan Ake, and Matthijs de Ligt, it seems that Raphinha’s choice is to hitch Xavi at Barcelona and workforce up with the likes of Memphis Depay and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Paddy Energy have the Brazilian worldwide at a value of 4/7 to hitch Barcelona earlier than the switch window shuts, in comparison with 10/11 to hitch Chelsea, and 18/1 apiece to both signal for Arsenal or keep put at Leeds.

Wherever Raphinha goes, the 25-year-old is certain to make an prompt influence and combat for silverware which a participant of his calibre finally deserves as he enters the prime of his younger profession.