Newcastle United Are Still Hoping To Land This Barcelona Winger: Should Howe Snap Him Up? | OneFootball

In a recent report, Sport claimed that Newcastle United are still hoping to land Barcelona winger Raphinha. It is understood that the Magpies are eager to secure the services of the Brazilian wide player from the Catalan club next summer after failing to do so earlier this year.

Raphinha’s Impressive Form In La Liga This Season

Raphinha is enjoying a decent campaign at the Nou Camp after he put in a few eye-catching displays on the right side of Xavi’s attack. The Brazilian talent has banged in a couple of goals and grabbed three assists in 11 appearances for Barca this season across all fronts.

The 26-year-old has been a decent performer in the final third as he is averaging 1.6 shots, 1.3 key passes and 1.0 dribbles per game in La Liga. He has even been excellent when distributing the ball from the wide areas based on his pass success rate of 80.5% in top-flight football (stats via whoscored).

Raphinha is under contract at the Catalan club until the summer of 2027. Thus, Newcastle will have to make a big offer if they want to lure him to St. James’ Park this January or at the end of this campaign.

Barcelona’s Brazilian forward #11 Raphinha reacts during the Spanish Liga football match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP) (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Should Newcastle United Boss Eddie Howe Snap Raphinha Up?

Raphinha is a decent dribbler with the ball and has got the eye to play a few decisive passes on the offensive end of the pitch. He can shoot the ball with venom from long range and can chip in by scoring and creating some important goals for his side.

The Brazil international is primarily a right-winger but can also operate as a left-sided wide player if asked to do so. He already knows the Premier League well from his time at Leeds United and won’t take much time to settle into Newcastle boss Eddie Howe’s playing style in English football.

Raphinha will add more pace and goals to the Tyneside club‘s attack. He is good enough to become a regular starter at St. James’ Park next season and could help the Magpies challenge for some major honours in the coming years. At 26, Raphinha is about to enter his prime, so Howe would be wise to go all out to snap him up in 2024.