Goal journalist Charles Watts has said on his YouTube channel that Barcelona are favourites for Leeds United winger Raphinha, not Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Watts has said that although Arsenal are interested in signing Raphinha from Leeds in the summer transfer window, it is La Liga giants Barcelona who are the favourites to secure the services of the Brazil international winger.
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The Telegraph reported on Friday that Arsenal are considering a bid for the 25-year-old £63,000-a-week winger (SalarySport) Leeds star.
We have known interest from Barcelona in the former Rennes star for a while now, and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have also been credited with interest in Raphinha.
Barcelona favourites for Raphinha, not Arsenal
Watts said on his YouTube channel: “As far as I am aware, the interest hasn’t got to any official stage yet.
“Arsenal haven’t started official talks with Leeds. This is all sort of muscling behind the scenes really in terms of Raphinha, who is expected to leave.
“Barcelona still very much the favourites when it comes to him. That’s been something that has been ongoing behind the scenes for a long time as well.”
Could a transfer happen?
In our view, Arsenal will struggle to sign Raphinha from Leeds United in the summer transfer window.
While the winger could be tempted by a move to Arsenal, if Barcelona pay what Leeds want, then we do not think that he would want to join the Gunners.
Barcelona would then be Raphinha’s favoured destination.
However, we have to note that Barcelona are not in a great financial situation, and that could make a huge difference for Arsenal, especially if Liverpool do not make a bid for Raphinha.
Arsenal are a rich club, and they could be tempted to spend big on a hard-working winger who has scored 17 goals and created 22 big chances in 65 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career.
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