FC Barcelona have named their asking price for Newcastle United to buy Raphinha, according to El Nacional.
Barca signed the Brazilian for €60 million ($66 million) last summer after activating one of their economic levers when Chelsea already had an offer accepted by his previous employers Leeds United.
Raphinha told his agent Deco to hold tight and wait for Barca to approach him so that the 26-year-old could complete his dream move. Less than 12 months later, however, the Porto Alegre native could be moved on amid mixed form.
Though Raphinha has hit double figures in goals and assists while his strong work ethic can’t be denied, swathes of Culers both in the Camp Nou stadium and worldwide haven’t immediately taken to him.
It is not just this that has put the number ’22’ up for sale, however, as the development is also heavily inspired by the club’s need to shed €200 million ($218 million) from the wage bill if they wish to make new signings next season.
With Barca required to make big player sales as well, everyone except ‘untouchables’ such as Pedri, Gavi and Ronald Araujo can be offloaded to new outfits.
On the wings, the Catalans will listen to offers for Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati. And with Mundo Deportivo reporting last week that Newcastle United are interested in taking him back to the PremierPINC League, the Saudi-backed ‘richest club in the world’ know Barca’s asking price for Raphinha according to El Nacional.
Newcastle are willing to pay up to €40 million ($44 million) for the player, yet president Joan Laporta is holding out for €60 million ($66 million) because the La Liga champions-in-waiting won’t sell him for less than what they paid Leeds in 2022.
To this end, it would make sense for Barca to try and sell Ansu Fati first. Any sale of the La Masia product represents pure profit, and SPORT reported on Monday that his agent Jorge Mendes has guaranteed a €70 million ($77 million) proposal from the Premier League for the number ’10’.
If Barca can get rid of Fati for €70 million, Raphinha for €60 million ($66 million) and Ferran Torres to Arsenal for around €35 million ($38.4 million) as reported by El Nacional, though, that could mean a much-welcomed €165 million ($181 million) coming in to help balance the books. Source: forbes.com
