Man Utd line up ‘shock’ late transfer bid for La Liga star with Arsenal and Chelsea also ‘attentive’ | OneFootball

Premier League side Man Utd could make a ‘shock’ deadline day swoop for Barcelona attacker Raphinha, according to reports.

The Brazilian only moved to the Camp Nou in the summer transfer window from Leeds United in a £55m deal after months of speculation other clubs were interested.

Arsenal were understood to be interested in signing the 26-year-old before he left the Yorkshire club to move to the Catalan giants – but Raphinha had his heart set on a move to Barca.

There has already been speculation this month that Arsenal want to sign Raphinha but the Gunners have brought in Leandro Trossard from Brighton to strengthen their forward positions.

And even Raphinha – who scored the opening goal in Barca’s 5-0 victory over AD Ceuta in the Copa del Rey yesterday –  himself hinted at a long stay in Barcelona after they beat Real Madrid 3-1 in the Spanish Super Cup final earlier this month.

After the final whistle, Raphinha told reporters: “This is my first trophy with this giant club, this enormous shirt of FC Barcelona — it’s incredible. And so now we go for more trophies.”

But the Daily Mirror insist that Man Utd ‘could make a shock swoop for is former Leeds star Raphinha’ before the transfer deadline with Barcelona ‘needing to free up funds’ ahead of the summer.

And Spanish publication Fichajes also have a report on Raphinha on Tuesday with claims that Chelsea and Arsenal are ‘attentive’ to the Brazil international’s situation at the Camp Nou.

They point to a possible deal next summer as Barcelona ‘does not rule out releasing’ him in six months time if they receive the right offer from interested parties.

Erik ten Hag said after their that they should “go for it” before the deadline if the right transfer opportunity arose.

On his plans for the summer, Ten Hag said: “I have an idea, yes. But also in the coming days if we had the opportunity I would go for it but that’s not also up to me. That’s also clear.

“I think this club always has to have the approach that every day you have to get better so if there are opportunities to get better then you have to strike. That’s my approach so I’m looking around, to research.

“But I have an idea with which profiles we could strengthen the squad.”

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