Reporter claims Arsenal would ‘absolutely’ want £55m Barcelona ace

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Arsenal would certainly be interested in signing Barcelona winger Raphinha this summer if he became available.

Barcelona winger Raphinha remains on Arsenal’s transfer radar as they consider signing another wide man.

That is according to Arsenal reporter Charles Watts, who has been speaking to TEAMtalk about Raphinha.

Watts claims that Arsenal would ‘absolutely’ want to sign Raphinha if Barcelona showed a desire to sell.

Watts does though doubt that Barcelona will let the Brazilian go, believing that he can make a big impact moving forward.

The Brazilian only joined Barcelona last summer and it would be bold of Barca to let him go right now.

Barcelona’s financial situation still isn’t great though and that may mean that a big-money sale like Raphinha could still materialise.

Watts notes that Raphinha would be a ‘perfect’ signing for Arsenal and it’s seemingly one that Edu would like to make.

“Arsenal would absolutely be interested in him if he was on the market,” said Watts. “I just don’t think Barcelona are going to let him go this summer.”

“They still very much believe that Raphinha can make a big impact for them. So I don’t think they’re going to consider letting him go and I think he very much wants to stay at Barcelona. But I think it’d be an absolutely perfect signing for Arsenal, signing someone to cover for Saka and provide competition,” he added.

Arsenal chief Edu is a huge fan of Raphinha

Cast your minds back just over a year and Arsenal were keen to snap up Raphinha from Leeds United.

Fabrizio Romano suggested that Raphinha had become an ‘obsession’ for Arsenal and technical director Edu.

Raphinha had been superb for Leeds, racking up 17 goals and 12 assists in 67 appearances for the Whites.

Barcelona ended up winning the race, striking a deal worth around £55million for the former Rennes ace.

Arsenal have remained interested though and Sky Sports claimed in January that the Gunners made contact to sign Raphinha after missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth suggested earlier this month that Arsenal would like to add another right-sided winger this summer.

Bukayo Saka needs some cover and competition with Raphinha possibly the dream signing there.

It’s hard to see Raphinha settling for that kind of role though and whilst Edu will have one eye on his Barcelona situation, a move to Arsenal this summer looks unlikely.