EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

Newcastle United on the lookout for Barcelona’s Raphinha

Rumor

Mundo Deportivo reports that Newcastle United is considering making an offer to sign Raphinha from . The winger joined Barcelona last summer in a deal worth €58 million ($63.8 million), including €7 million ($7.7 million) in variables, from his former club Leeds United.

Raphinha’s performance at Camp Nou has been inconsistent, with nine goals and nine assists to his name. However, he has a tendency to go missing in big games. He further displayed frustration when substituted by head coach Xavi Hernandez before the end of matches.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Raphinha’s behavior has caused tension in the Barcelona dressing room. Also his insistence on not playing on the left wing is creating additional problems.

Raphinha is currently playing on the right flank in Xavi’s 4-3-3 formation, with Gavi playing as a false left winger. However, Raphinha’s position in the team will soon be in question when Ousmane Dembele returns from injury in the coming weeks and takes up his usual spot on the right wing.

Will Raphinha end up at Newcastle United?

Given Barcelona’s financial situation and the need to cut their wage bill by €200 million ($218 million), it seems likely that Raphinha could be sold by the club.

Newcastle United, who are financially capable of matching or even exceeding what Barca paid for Raphinha, could be a potential destination for the Brazil international. Raphinha caught Newcastle’s attention while he was still at Leeds. But the Magpies lost out in the race to sign the winger. Leeds ultimately accepted a bid from Chelsea. But Raphinha held out for his dream move to Barca, hoping the club would activate one of their economic levers to facilitate the transfer. However, his move to the Catalan giants has not gone entirely according to plan.

Now, only time will tell where Raphinha might end up by the end of the season.

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