Aston Villa are keeping their options open ahead of the transfer deadline and could potentially target a move for Raphinha.
According to Caught Offside, Raphinha is one of the options that Aston Villa could consider this late in the transfer window. Unai Emery feels he’s still shy of an attacker and could look at the Barcelona ace to replace Moussa Diaby, who left earlier in the summer.
Raphinha on Aston Villa’s radar
Aston Villa have made some statement moves in this window, and they are still likely to bring new faces before the transfer deadline. Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida seems closer to a move, while Unai Emery could angle an attacker signing before the window shuts on Friday.
Emery is targetting a striker on priority with links to Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, which may seem unprecedented from the Blues standpoint. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also on their radar, but should Aston Villa fail to land a centre-forward, they could sign another winger. Raheem Sterling was mentioned as a target, although there are doubts whether Villa are financially capable of signing him now.
The exit of Moussa Diaby this summer does leave room for a high-profile player to arrive, although Villa have signed Jaden Philogene and Samuel Iling-Junior. However, the latterr is not seen as a big part of their plans currently. Barcelona’s Raphinha is mentioned as a potential target, with the club thinking about approaching.
Barcelona will demand a significant fee in return for Raphinha, who has plenty of suitors in England. Much will depend on the 27-year-old in-form star’s preference, as he might have a good place in Hansi Flick’s plans. Hence, the signing will seem like a difficult choice as of now, but certainly not impossible, given the Catalans have financial troubles that could see them consider a large offer.
Barcelona unlikely to sell Raphinha
Barcelona failed in their plans to sign Nico Williams, as there possibility of that happening this late in the window seems unlikely. They had considered selling the likes of Raphinha to fund a move for the Athletic Club star, but with the Spaniard not likely to arrive, they have no reason to offload the 27-year-old Brazilian ace.
Given they have some financial difficulties, which has seen them even struggle to register summer signing Dani Olmo, Aston Villa could take their chances. However, the player, considering he feels there’s a place in the team to play regularly this season, will not look to leave Catalonia. While he is open to a return to England, Aston Villa might not entice him at this stage.
