Raphinha can join Arsenal as Barcelona looks to finance Lionel Messi’s return

According to rumours in Spain, Barcelona would be willing to transfer Raphinha to Arsenal this summer if it allowed them to pay for Lionel Messi’s comeback.

Raphinha joined Barca in a £55 million transfer from Leeds United in July of last year, and despite initially finding it difficult to make an impression, the Brazil international has been in excellent form, tallying nine goals and 10 assists in 42 appearances so far this season.

When his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires this summer, Messi will be available on a free transfer, prompting the Spanish club to hold negotiations with him about returning to Camp Nou.

La Liga, however, has stressed that in order for Barcelona to be able to sign new players this summer, the club must either significantly reduce its pay cost or collect about €200 million (£177.1 million) through player sales.

A few Barca board members are willing to sell the 26-year-old if they obtain a sizable return on their initial £55m investment from last year, according to AS, who also claims that Arsenal, Tottenham, and Newcastle United have maintained their interest in Raphinha ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to the rumor, Raphinha doesn’t feel fully appreciated by Barca, and the team would sell him to make room for Messi to come back.

In contrast, Xavi has not indicated that he would be ready to let go of Raphinha after just one season.

In his remarks in February, Xavi characterized the Brazilian as ‘the future of Barcelona’.

‘He’s a criticised player but he does a lot and we value him a lot,’ Xavi said.

‘We will always support Raphinha – he’s the future of Barcelona.’

After falling short of Chelsea in the race to recruit Mykhailo Mudryk, rumors in Spain stated that Arsenal had unsuccessfully attempted to sign Raphinha for €70 million (£61.7 million).

Barcelona, however, declined Arsenal’s approach, and Mikel Arteta’s team later acquired Leandro Trossard from Brighton in a £27 million move.