Arsenal and Newcastle told £50 million Barcelona ace wants Premier League move, he’s a ‘game changer’

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC understands that Barcelona winger Raphinha is keen on returning to the Premier League this summer.

Barcelona’s current starting right-winger Lamine Yamal, 17, is showing no signs of inconsistency as the teenage star continues to grow.

Yamal played a key assist to Nico Williams in the Euro 2024 final and the winger also scored an outstanding goal against France, which won the best goal of the tournament.

With the 17-year-old excelling, as well as the possible addition of Williams to the Barcelona front line, the potential game time for former Leeds United winger Raphinha will be limited and he is understood to be keen on a return to England.

Raphinha accepts move away from Barcelona best for his career

The Brazilian has been strongly linked with a move this summer but he has been loathed to entertain leaving Barcelona.

However, following talks – including with his former agent Deco who took him to Catalunya and who is now in charge at Barca – he has been told that he is not in-line to be a starter under Hansi Flick, mainly because the club fully intend on bringing Athletic Bilbao’s Williams into the club.

Whilst Raphinha’s performances have been impressive for the Spanish giants since his move to the club in 2022, he was hailed as a game changer by Luke Ayling following his debut for Barcelona, the club are keen on moving the Brazilian along, similar to former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres.

However, the Brazilian is the most sellable asset. The news that the 27-year-old is available has been relayed to his suitors – of which most are in England.

Plethora of top sides made aware of Raphinha’s situation

Sources have told HITC that Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United, who were all keen on Raphinha back in 2022, have been spoken to with these clubs keen on adding a right-sided forward this summer.

Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester United – have also been made aware of the situation and HITC is told that the interest in England is high.

Given the fee that Barcelona would demand would be close to £50 million, plus the wages he is earning at the Camp Nou, the player’s camp believes a move to the Premier League is the most realistic possibility.

There is interest from the Saudi Pro League, but HITC has been told that a move back to England would be the player’s preference at this point of his career.