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Arsenal to submit formal offer for £60m-rated Raphinha

By on June 21, 2022

raphinha

According to The Times, Arsenal are set to table a formal offer for Raphinha as Mikel Arteta looks to pull-off an audacious swoop for the Leeds United winger this summer.

The boss is desperately trying to strengthen his attacking options as Arsenal struggled for goals at times last season. With the added fixtures that the Europa League will bring, we need reinforcements quickly.

Gabriel Jesus is being lined-up as a replacement for Alexandre Lacazette – who’s re-joined Lyon on a free transfer – but Arsenal are also being strongly linked with a surprise move for Raphinha.

According to The Times, Arsenal are set to submit a formal offer for the 25-year-old but could face stiff competition with Tottenham and Barcelona believed to have also held talks with his agent.

The newspaper says Raphinha favours a switch to the Nou Camp but Barca cannot afford him right now, so Spurs could be our main competition if they decide to formalise their interest as well.

The Daily Mail suggests that Leeds value Raphinha at around £60m so any potential deal won’t come cheap. When you consider Man City also want around £50m for Gabriel, Arsenal are going to have to raise money to afford both Brazilian attackers.

Nicolas Pepe is the obvious player who could be sold to raise funds. The Ivorian has fallen out of favour and is likely to leave if Arsenal can clinch a deal for Raphinha over the coming weeks.

It would be a major upgrade, as Raphinha is a top talent and has already proven himself in the Premier League so won’t need any time to settle. He scored 11 goals and provided 3 assists to help Leeds avoid the drop last season.

Raphinha predominantly plays on the right wing so it will be interesting to see what Arteta’s plans are if Arsenal do end up signing him. It could mean Bukayo Saka moves to the left wing with Gabriel Martinelli dropping out. But the likelihood is the boss would rotate them all to keep players fresh as the likes of Saka were driven into the ground last season.

It’s certainly a busy time at Arsenal as we’re on the verge of announcing the £30m arrival of attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira from Porto. Talks are continuing for Gabriel and we’re also reportedly bidding to sign defender Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, so there could be plenty of incoming over the next few weeks.