Newcastle United have been linked with a move for 27-year-old in-form Barcelona attacker Raphinha, with Paul Robinson backing the Magpies.
Raphinha is in impressive form for Barcelona this season, and Newcastle United are being tipped to make a move for him. According to Football Insider, Newcastle might have been keeping tabs on the player since his days at Leeds United.
It will be interesting to see if the Magpies act on their interest and try to sign him in the coming months. The 27-year-old has been a key player for Barcelona this season, and it remains to be seen whether they are ready to sanction his departure.
Paul Robinson believes that the Brazilian international is a hard-working player with tremendous attacking quality and that he could be an asset for most clubs. He also expects the Barcelona star to improve Newcastle going forward.
“I saw what he can do at Leeds and I’ve heard whispers of a Premier League return,” he told Football Insider. “I think that’s a summer move. He’s a player who will attract Premier League interest. He’s 27 years old and he’s still got a lot of football left, he’s spent two years at Barcelona now and let’s not forget his caps for Brazil.
“The main thing I see with Raphina is how hard-working he is and his work ethic off the ball. He’s got quality on the ball, with his vision and his delivery and quality in the final third. But he’s got that edge, he’s not afraid to put his foot in. He’s a player who can enhance Newcastle’s starting XI without a shadow of a doubt.”
The Magpies could certainly use more quality and depth in the final third. Signing the versatile winger could prove to be a wise decision. The 27-year-old is capable of operating on either flank, and he can slot into the role of a central attacking midfielder as well.
The Brazilian will add goals and creativity to the Newcastle United attack if he joins the club. It remains to be seen whether the Premier League side can convince him to return to English football once again. He might look at a move to Newcastle United as a step-down.
Barcelona are a much bigger club, and he can compete in the UEFA Champions League with them. The player recently scored a hat trick against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. The 27-year-old will want to continue competing at the highest level. Newcastle United must secure Champions League qualification in order to attract players of his calibre.