‘World’s Richest Club’ Ready To Sign Raphinha From FC Barcelona: Reports

Premier League giants Newcastle United are prepared to try and sign Raphinha from FC Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The winger joined the Blaugrana last summer when they agreed a deal worth €58 million ($63.8 million) plus €7 million ($7.7 million) in variables with his former club Leeds United.

The Brazilian has enjoyed mixed fortunes at Camp Nou, and though his tally of nine goals and nine assists is nothing to sniff at, he has gone missing in big games while also partial to throwing a tantrum whenever head coach Xavi Hernandez has brought him off before the full time whistle.

ADVERTISEMENT

Raphinha’s outbursts have caused tension in the dressing room, according to Mundo Deportivo, and the Porto Alegre native is also causing further headaches for his refusal to play on the left wing.

The Qatar 2022 starter currently occupies the right flank in Xavi’s 4-3-3 with Gavi as a false left winger, but he will soon be dislodged when its usual occupant Ousmane Dembele returns from injury in the coming weeks.

With Barca mired in debts and forced to shave €200 million ($218 million) from the wage bill, these factors put Raphinha on the chopping block.

To this end, Newcastle United are reported as being interested in the Brazil international by Mundo Deportivo, and could more than afford to match what Barca paid for his services less than 12 months ago if not adding a little on top.

ADVERTISEMENT

After being taken over by the Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund for $400 million in late 2021, the northeast English outfit are considered by many to be the richest club in the world and are already in the running to qualify for the Champions League after being beaten in the Carabao Cup final by Manchester United in February.

Newcastle went in for Raphinha when he was still at Leeds but lost out in the race to sign the 26-year-old. After the Yorkshiremen accepted an offer from Chelsea, Raphinha held out for Barca to activate one of their economic levers and help him make his dream move which hasn’t entirely gone according to plan so far.