Reports indicate that Newcastle United could bring Raphael Dias Belloli, popularly known as Raphinha, back to the Premier League after two years away.
The 27-year-old has spent the last two years in Barcelona, winning the LaLiga as well as the Supercopa de Espaňa in the process. He has contributed 20 goals and 25 assists in 87 total appearances for the Blaugrana, with many of them being important point-winning goals and assists.
He has also spent the last two years being a humble player with the intent to remain important to the team and win over the fans as he has made it known many times that Barcelona is his dream club. He finally has everybody’s attention and is considered a player of importance in the club.
However, the Catalan giants’ well-publicised financial struggles mean that he unfortunately falls into the category of players that they will listen to offers for. Valued at €50 million, he currently earns around €12 million a year in Barcelona, which the club will be grateful to get off their books due to the austerity measures they are hoping to implement until they are back in the green.
Newcastle had initially approached Barcelona for Raphinha but their offer did not convince the five-time UEFA Champions League winners. Reports have it that they have turned in an improved offer which has now convinced Barcelona to let the 27-year-old go.
Barcelona also have a few transfer targets of their own which makes it necessary for them to sell some players. The Magpies are offering €60 million for the former Leeds United man for whom Hansi Flick has given the club the go ahead to listen to offers for, as reports claim.
The club are now waiting to know Raphinha’s answer but sources close to the winger claim that he is not very tempted by the move because they are not in the Champions League or fighting for trophies. Same sources also claim that Raphinha, while not happy about the possibility of leaving Barcelona, would cooperate with the club only if offers from clubs who are competing in the Champions League or fighting for titles come in.
The Magpies are pushing hard for the Brazilian, who could become their fifth summer signing alongside Lewis Hall, Lloyd Kelly, John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos.
They are also on the verge of losing Anthony Gordon, who is being linked to Newcastle United and bagging Raphinha will help cover that gap should the Englishman exit St. James’ Park.
