Raphinha has been at FC Barcelona for two seasons now but has yet to convince the fanbase with his performances. Despite putting up decent numbers in both campaigns and scoring crucial goals, there have been doubts over his tactical fit at the club.
Xavi called the 27-year-old a ‘dynamic player who can participate in four or five positions up front’. The Spanish tactician certainly valued the Brazilian’s role in the team and he was often a starter for Barcelona in the big games.
Arguably the Blaugrana’s second-best attacker last season after Lamine Yamal, Raphinha was the only one in the squad who crossed double digits in goals and assists. The former Leeds United winger scored 10 times and provided 13 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions.
As Barcelona look to kickstart a new era under Hansi Flick, they are extensively pushing to sign Athletic Bilbao’s 22-year-old winger Nico Williams, having already met with his agents in Zaragoza to negotiate a contract.
If the Spaniard arrives this summer, this could consign Raphinha to a bench role. Thus, as per SPORT, Barcelona are willing to consider offers for the 27-year-old Brazilian and have set his asking price at €50m.
Raphinha has interest from Premier League clubs with Aston Villa eyeing him as a replacement to Moussa Diaby, should the Frenchman leave for Saudi Arabia. Even otherwise, if the Brazilian is on the market, expect more clubs to come in with offers for him.
As they say, desperate times call for desperate measures and in these cash-strapped times, Barcelona might have to take tough decisions like chopping off an arm to save the body. Both Raphinha and Lamine Yamal prefer playing on the right and the latter has made a case for himself to be a regular starter for seasons to come.
Currently, the Catalan club is lacking a first-choice left-winger, and signing Nico would help us address that. With Ferran Torres also in the squad, letting go of Raphinha will not hurt us much, even though he has been a decent player for us.
If we do bid goodbye to Raphinha, it will be with a heavy heart. His sacrifice to join Barcelona back in 2022 will never be forgotten by the Cules and his iconic goals will remain etched in our memory for a long time.
