Arsenal Sporting Director Edu remains interested in signing Barcelona winger Raphinha, having wanted to sign him from Leeds United in the summer of 2022, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke in GiveMeSport.
The journalist has said that Arsenal were keen on signing the Brazil international winger in the summer of 2022 before he left Premier League rivals Leeds for Barcelona.
O’Rourke has claimed that Arsenal Sporting Director Edu is a big admirer of his Brazilian compatriot and still thinks Raphinha would be a good fit at the Gunners.
Earlier this month, 90min reported that Arsenal had made contact in regard to bringing the £199,000-a-week (SalarySport) star to the Emirates Stadium this month after missing out on Ukraine international winger Mykhaylo Mudrykto Chelsea.
The Gunners have since signed Belgian Leandro Trossard from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Sky Sports reported last summer that Arsenal were among the clubs keen on the winger, but Raphinha wanted to move only to Barcelona, as they were his dream club.
EDU STILL WANTS RAPHINHA AT ARSENAL
O’Rourke said: “It makes a lot of sense, Arsenal’s interest in Raphinha. They were obviously very keen on signing him last summer before he moved to Barcelona, so I’m sure he has remained on the radar.
“Edu is a big admirer of his fellow Brazilian as well and thinks he could be a good fit for Arsenal.”
COULD A TRANSFER HAPPEN?
In our view, Arsenal should not try too hard to sign Raphinha in the summer of 2023.
The winger turned down the Gunners to move to Barcelona in the summer of 2022.
Would the 26-year-old leave his dream club after just one season?
Yes, Raphinha is not exactly having the best of times at Camp Nou on a personal level at the moment, but he will surely not give up after just one season.
We think that Arsenal should look at other wingers next summer if indeed they plan to bring in a player in that position.
