BARCELONA
Will Barcelona sell Raphinha? Xavi firm in his response
Xavi has insisted during recent meetings with both Laporta and Deco that he wants the Brazilian winger at the club next season.
Barça boss Xavi Hernández has put all of his blaugrana eggs in one basket regarding Raphinha being at the club next season. This decision has been made known to both the president Joan Laporta and Deco, the future sporting director, in recent meetings he has held with both, AS can reveal. The coach argues that it will be difficult to find a better profile on the market than what the Brazilian offers the team; the manager is also very happy with his performances over the season and the player does not want to leave under any circumstances.
In addition, the injury record of Ousmane Dembélé forces Barça into having a ready-to-go substitute on the right side of the pitch, as has been well demonstrated this season, where the Brazilian has been decisive with 10 goals and 12 assists in this title-winning season.
Can Deco be Raphinha’s agent and sporting director?
Another factor that could be decisive for Raphinha’s future is that there could be an obvious conflict of interest if he were to be moved on. As his agent is Deco, he would charge a significant commission for the player’s departure, something that would be ethically reprehensible. Not even the announcement that his agency would drop the player from their books in the event that Deco becomes a Barça director would prevent speculation on this matter.
In addition to this, recouping the money spent on Raphinha remains an almost insurmountable obstacle. The winger was signed for €65 million from Leeds, with a wage of almost €9 million, meaning there are still at least €70 million to amortise during this operation - an impossible task.
Which players could Barcelona sell this summer?
Not even an offer of €80 million, an amount that has been speculated in England, would be attractive enough for FC Barcelona’s balance sheet, as they would have to cover this loss with another expensive incoming to get a winger who could do the job of the ex-Leeds man.
In the Camp Nou offices there are other names on the list to leave the club. Players like Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Kessié and Jordi Alba are open cases, and sooner rather than later they will have a resolution.