If there is one player who has drawn special attention for his performances so far in the 2024/25 season, that player is Raphinha. The right winger, largely thanks to the confidence that Hansi Flick has placed in him, has managed to exploit all possible facets of his game, becoming one of the most lethal forwards currently.
Raphinha has scored 10 goals and provided nine assists in 14 matches, also contributing beyond statistics, such as in pressing when the opponent has the ball, showing himself as a tireless fighter and a playmaker. Additionally, the Porto Alegre native is one of the great leaders in the dressing room of Barça and a worthy bearer of the captain's armband.
In this sense, an environment that seems to closely follow the news and show interest in Raphinha is English football, where the 27-year-old Brazilian forward still has a great reputation and where Newcastle appears to be one of the most interested teams in his services. According to the English portal 'TEAMTalk,' the 'Magpies' have not given up hope of launching a bid for the player in the next summer transfer window.
Newcastle sees Raphinha as a very good candidate to bolster their right wing
The mentioned source maintains that, amid uncertainty about the future of Miguel Almirón at the club, under Eddie Howe, they intend to strengthen their right wing with a 'top' player, with Raphinha being their main target. It is important to remember that the interest of Newcastle in the Porto Alegre forward has been a topic of discussion for some time. However, it has been commented on more than one occasion that the offers made by the 'Magpies' have not met the economic demands of Barcelona.
It remains to be seen whether the English team, in their attempt to sign Raphinha, can match the economic demands of FC Barcelona, which has set an 'astronomical' price for the forward to deter interest from other clubs: €100 million. A sale seems increasingly unlikely, as the '11' gives the impression of not wanting to wear any other shirt than that of the Blaugrana club.
Furthermore, given the excellent form that Raphinha is showing, Barcelona increasingly sees him as a key asset rather than a transferable player, positioning him as a fundamental part of the sports project and a player with renewal options.
'Rapha' also of interest to other teams
However, it is clear that in the world of transfers, no scenario can be ruled out. It has been mentioned that the forward is also of interest to other teams in the Premier League such as Manchester City and Arsenal, teams that combine financial strength with attractive sporting projects.
While economically tempting offers could arise from Saudi Arabia, it feels like they are not attractive enough in the sporting aspect for a Raphinha who aims to continue showcasing his football in elite European competition, especially now that he is arguably at the peak of his career in sporting terms.