Arsenal pursue Raphinha as Barcelona links slow down | OneFootball

Arsenal are keeping tabs on Raphinha as one of the players on their summer shortlist, but he’s reportedly not the only option.

Fabrizio Romano reports for Caught Offside that Arsenal have been keeping tabs on Raphinha ever since March. He’s one of the players on the Gunners’ summer shortlist, though not the only one.

For a while, Barcelona were the clear favourites for Raphinha. Romano reports that even before Arsenal joined the race, Barcelona were in advanced talks for the winger in February.

But Barcelona’s move was largely based on the assumption that Leeds United would go down, opening up a €25m release clause for the Catalan club to sign him.

Instead, Leeds avoided relegation and are asking for €55m paid in only a few instalments.

As Barcelona face financial difficulties and pursue expensive deals for the likes of Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski, they may not be able to afford that €55m fee.

The Athletic report that Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea are all interested in a move for Raphinha this summer, if Barcelona can’t afford the deal.

Leeds reportedly don’t plan to obstruct Raphinha’s departure if their valuation is met.

Spanish journalist Toni Juanmarti reports that Arsenal are moving with more intensity for the player in recent days.