Crazy! The offer that a Saudi club made to Raphinha and he rejected

Published:11/09/2024 - 12:16h

Updated:12/09/2024 - 04:20h

FC Barcelona was very close to selling Raphinha in the last summer market, where? Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia, a club that would have presented a tempting financial offer for both the club and the player. However, it was the footballer himself who stopped the operation

Summer, in terms of player ins and outs, was extremely busy for FC Barcelona. And why wouldn't it be? Between arrivals and departures, the Catalan squad made no fewer than 15 moves. Just as many, for one reason or another, ended up being discarded, despite the fact that, whether due to their market value or specific role in the Blaugrana squad, they seemed destined to be sold in the recently closed summer transfer window.

One of those transfers that remained 'on hold' was that of Raphinha, a 27-year-old right winger, whose destination, after two seasons with the Barcelona team, seemed to be outside the Ciudad Condal. However, in a significant turn of events, he ended up staying with the team. Now, time and, of course, his outstanding performances in sports have given him a stellar role in Hansi Flick's tactical setup, making him a vital player in the club's offensive structure.

At this point, the Porto Alegre native has found a new place on the field as an attacking midfielder-left winger to be influential. Currently, he has a total of three goals and three assists after playing four matches in LaLiga EA Sports 2024/25, in a stellar start to the season, confirming that, at least for now, it was the right decision to keep him, even though the situation suggested selling him this summer.

Al-Hilal Tempted Raphinha

And why wouldn't they? If the forward, one of the most valuable players at FC Barcelona (€50 million, according to 'Transfermarkt'), was being tempted by the always financially powerful football in Saudi Arabia, especially by Al-Hilal. According to the newspaper 'SPORT', the Arabs had a 'mind-boggling' proposal to acquire the services of Raphinha and thus strengthen a sports project that already boasts big names like Neymar Jr., João Cancelo, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Rúben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrović, Malcom, among others.

The cited source maintains that 'Al-Za'eem' was willing to invest, between fixed amounts and variables, around €100 million in the player's transfer. That would definitely be an astronomical outlay and would have represented a significant financial boost for a Blaugrana squad that acquired him for €58 million, of which €23.2 million has already been amortized.

The 'Missed Out' on the Seductive Financial Proposal from the Arab Club

It is also necessary to consider the amounts that were offered to Raphinha. Apparently, Al-Hilal was willing to pay around €100 million net as a salary, €25 million for each of the four seasons he would sign, in a contract that would extend until June 30, 2028, quadrupling the earnings he currently receives at FC Barcelona (six million net per season).

However, the transaction did not materialize. Why? Well, despite Barça apparently being willing to accept it, Raphinha chose to reject it, not succumbing to the financial offer and prioritizing the sporting project of the Blaugrana club, where he has become a key name in Hansi Flick's scheme and a potential and charismatic leader in the locker room.