Arsenal have reportedly submitted an opening offer for Leeds United winger Raphinha, who is also a transfer target for Barcelona and Chelsea.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal have submitted an offer to Leeds United to sign Brazilian winger Raphinha, who is also being pursued by Barcelona and Chelsea. However, the bid from the north London giants is short of Leeds’ valuation, with the Yorkshire club likely to reject it right away.
The Brazilian joined Leeds United in 2020, arriving from French club Rennes and has become a fan favourite at Elland Road. He played an integral role in helping the Whites maintain their Premier League status in both seasons since their return to the top flight. Raphinha enjoyed a productive 2021/22 campaign, during which he managed to score 11 and assist three more goals in 35 league outings.
Raphinha has been the talk of the town this summer, with several top clubs in England and Spain vying to sign the 25-year-old. Barcelona have shown the most interest in signing Raphinha but have since been joined by Arsenal and Chelsea in the race for the former Sporting CP winger. And as per The Athletic, Arsenal have tried to beat Barcelona to his signing by launching an offer for the 25-year-old superstar.
Arsenal have made a steady start to the summer, having secured the signings of Matt Turner, Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira. Mikel Arteta is focusing on signing another wide player to replace Nicolas Pepe and add competition for youngster Bukayo Saka, with Raphinha emerging as a top target.
Reports earlier in the week indicated that Arsenal had moved ahead of Barcelona in the race for Raphinha. And they have now acted on the reported interest by launching an offer for the winger. But The Athletic insists that the north Londoners’ bid is well short of Leeds’ valuation of their star attacker, and they are likely to dismiss it, leaving the door open for Barcelona and Chelsea.
Barcelona, as iterated earlier, have been linked heavily with a move for Raphinha. The 25-year-old is understood to favour a move to Camp Nou, with personal terms already agreed with the La Liga giants. However, the Blaugrana’s financial situation has complicated their pursuit of the 25-year-old. But with Barcelona set to activate their ‘economic levers’, they could launch a swoop for Raphinha imminently.
Chelsea, too, are keen on Raphinha as they are staring at a revamp in attack. With players like Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic staring at uncertain futures, there is room for Thomas Tuchel to sign a new winger. A move for Barcelona contract rebel Ousmane Dembele had been touted. But the Blues are having second thoughts over a move, with Raphinha seen as an alternative.
The report states that Raphinha’s top priority remains Barcelona. But if a move to Camp Nou fails, he would prefer to join Chelsea to play Champions League football. Arsenal are third on the list of priorities for the Brazilian, with their rivals Tottenham at the bottom of the pile. It remains to be seen if Barcelona can come up with the money to sign him or whether Arsenal follow up with an improved offer.