According to an update by Gerard Romero, Newcastle United are stepping up their interest in Barcelona winger Raphinha.
Barca had paid €65 million to sign the Brazilian from Leeds United last summer and he’s turned himself into a crucial player in Xavi’s squad. However, Newcastle United believe Barcelona’s financial instability will force them to sell Raphinha.
The Magpies have offered €30 million plus midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in exchange for Barcelona’s winger and this is a really enticing deal because Xavi has had eyes on Guimaraes as the long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets.
Will Barcelona accept Newcastle’s offer for Raphinha?
Raphinha had 14 goals contributions in 36 league games for Barca this season so it will be very hard to convince Xavi to part ways with him.
However, the club have just offered Dembele a new contract and if the Frenchman accepts then there’s a chance Newcastle United will be able to land Raphinha.
Barcelona are currently valuing their right-winger at around €70 million and Newcastle’s offer is actually much more than this valuation because Bruno Guimaraes’ current market worth is €60 million.
The way Raphinha has played this season, it will be very harsh if Xavi decides to sell him but Guimaraes is a superb player and it will be very hard to miss out on him.
Barcelona has been wanting to sign him for some time but they have failed to do so because of financial restraints so with this offer, the 25-year-old is practically falling on their lap. The rumours are suggesting that the Catalans are ready to spend €60 million on Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad as Busquets’ replacement but if they accept Newcastle’s offer then they will not only save €60 million but they will also bag in another extra €30 million.
Raphinha has experience of playing in the Premier League plus with Newcastle United he will be able to play in the Champions League next season so this isn’t the end of the world for him. But still, the winger has made it clear that he is very happy at Camp Nou and does not intend to leave any time soon.
“I will continue at Barcelona next season and the season afterward. I have a long contract and I hope to spend those years here and many more,” said the forward. “I love Barcelona as a city and Brazilians are very happy here,”
Newcastle United have been very calculated with their spending under Eddie Howe but now that they are in Europe, the Magpies will open their war chest and spend big. The offer they have made for Raphinha is really lucrative which is surely going to make Xavi think long and hard.
We definitely can’t rule out Barcelona accepting this offer and if they do then no matter how much Raphinha loves Spain, he will have no other option but to return to the EPL.
