According to reports, La Liga heavyweights Barcelona have demanded €65 million from English Premier League side Arsenal if they are to offload their winger Raphinha. However, the Gunners are hesitant to meet this asking price. As per Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s valuation of the 27-year-old attacker is significantly higher than what Arsenal is willing to offer.
Arsenal’s Offer and Negotiation
In search of a new winger, Arsenal is interested in Raphinha but is prepared to offer only around €50 million. They are not inclined to exceed this amount. While there were earlier indications that Barcelona might be open to negotiation, they are now firmly sticking to their €65 million demand. To add pressure, Barcelona is suggesting that they might receive a comparable offer from Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Arsenal is keeping a low profile regarding its negotiation strategy but is expected to use strong tactics to potentially lower the price. The club is not under immediate pressure to agree to the demands of Barcelona and may wait to see how the situation evolves.
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Barcelona’s Financial Situation
Barcelona has yet to initiate a transfer for Nico Williams, despite claims by President Joan Laporta that the club has sufficient funds. In reality, Barcelona may need to sell players before finalising acquisitions, including Williams and Dani Olmo.
Consequently, the club has set a high asking price for Raphinha, potentially as a strategy to compel Arsenal to meet their demands. Additionally, Barcelona’s suggestion of interest from Saudi Arabian clubs might not be effective as Raphinha is reportedly not interested in a move there and prefers a return to the Premier League.
Arsenal seems set to take a cautious stance on Raphinha, opting to observe developments before making any firm moves. This strategy could offer the club the advantage of negotiating a more advantageous deal or identifying other potential targets if the terms are not favourable. By staying flexible, Arsenal ensures they can make the most strategic choice for their squad, whether that means improving their offer for Raphinha or seeking out alternative players who may better meet their needs.