Fabrizio Romano issues stance on player Arsenal almost signed in January

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Fabrizio Romano has hinted that Raphinha won’t leave FC Barcelona this summer despite reports that Arsenal made a bid to sign the attacker in the January transfer window.

Speaking to CaughtOffside, the transfer guru revealed that the Catalan side are happy with how the Brazilian winger has performed this season, and although Financial Fair Play rules could mean Barcelona have to sell an important player in the summer, Raphinha is unlikely to leave.

Romano said on the 26-year-old’s future at the Camp Nou: “I’m sure Barcelona are very happy with Raphinha, so, again, let’s see what happens with Financial Fair Play. But Barcelona wants to trust Raphinha for the present and the future, he loves the club.”

With Sport reporting that Arsenal had a £62m bid to sign Raphinha rejected by Barcelona in January, it feels like a safe bet to say that the former Leeds United star won’t be leaving the club anytime soon, even with the Catalan side needing to sell some players in the upcoming window.

As we know, Barcelona’s financial situation is one of the most concerning in all of European football, and as a result, a big-name player could be sold this summer to keep the books healthy, though it now looks like Raphinha won’t be the fall guy, much to Arsenal’s dismay.

Indeed, whilst the Gunners missed out on Raphinha, their eventual attacking signing, Leandro Trossard, has been a revelation for Mikel Arteta’s side. Meaning that whilst the Brazilian would be welcome at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal are now in a position where they don’t need to worry about attacking depth.

Raphinha would be wise to not leave Barcelona amid Arsenal interest

Arsenal were one of the favourites to land Raphinha last summer before Barcelona came in at the last second to win the Brazilian’s signature, and this year, the winger would be wise to remain in Catalonia despite an opportunity emerging to return to the Premier League.

The South American has impressed under Xavi Hernandez this year and is finally starting to look like a Barcelona player, and based on the noises coming out of repeatable sources, Raphinha, rightly, has no intention to leave this summer for a move to Arsenal, a decision which would be odd, to say the least.