SOCCER
Arsenal pushing to sign Barcelona’s Raphinha in January
Eight points clear in the Premier League, Arsenal reportedly want to make Raphinha a statement signing in their push for the title.
Arsenal could be in line for a historic season, after a number of years in the (relative) doldrums. Sunday’s convincing 2-0 victory away to North London rivals Tottenham, coupled with Manchester City’s derby loss to United, means the Gunners are now eight points clear at the top of the Premier League. Desperate not to let things slip, they want to make a statement signing in January to help push them over the line and that statement player is reportedly Barcelona’s Raphinha.
Mikel Arteta’s men had looked to be in pole position to sign Mykhailo Mudryk, one of Europe’s hottest properties, from Shakhtar Donetsk but the Ukrainian winger ultimately joined city rivals Chelsea. Now, Catalan news outlet Sport have reported that Arsenal have been in contact with Raphinha’s entourage and are not only intent on signing the Brazilian, they are intent on signing him now.
The winger only joined Barça from Leeds United in the summer but rumours have been doing the rounds that he is one player – Ferran Torres is another – who could be on his way out the door. With La Azulgrana in something of a financial mess, few players are thought to be off-limits, although Sport claim that Raphinha, while being a fan of Arteta, is reluctant to move just yet and still sees a future for himself in Catalonia.
Xavi’s change of system with Barcelona
However, at present, it’s hard to see the Brazilian getting much game time, especially with Xavi increasingly using a 4-4-2 system with four central midfielders, which worked a treat in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final victory against Real Madrid, which Raphinha played just 12 minutes in. With that in mind, he looks to be in direct competition for a starting role with fellow wide man Ousmane Dembélé, who is undoubtedly Xavi preferred pick at the moment.
Barcelona beat Arsenal to the winger’s signature in the summer, with Raphinha really keen to make the move to Camp Nou from Leeds at the time. But the Gunners have retained an interest and will try again in the summer – as Premier League champions, they hope – if they aren’t successful in the January transfer window. One way or another, they’ll be hoping their persistence pays off.