Arsenal’s January transfer window is off to an exciting start with the club reportedly preparing to make a bold move for one of the hottest players in world football right now. According to recent reports, Mikel Arteta’s side is looking to secure the services of Barcelona’s Brazilian winger, Raphinha, in a deal that could reach up to €90 million. This move would be a major statement of intent from Arsenal, who are on an upward trajectory under Arteta’s leadership and aiming to strengthen their squad for both the Premier League and European competitions.
Raphinha has been in sensational form for Barcelona during the 2024/2025 season. The 27-year-old winger has scored an impressive 12 goals and provided 10 assists in just 17 appearances. His dynamism and creativity on the ball have caught the attention of many across Europe, and he has quickly become one of the most exciting attacking players in La Liga. Raphinha’s performances have been integral to Barcelona’s attacking play, making him one of the key figures in Xavi Hernandez’s side this season.
Not only has Raphinha been contributing heavily in terms of goals and assists, but he has also earned the trust of his coach, Hansi Flick, who has regularly handed him the captain’s armband. This shows the level of confidence that the Barcelona hierarchy and coaching staff have in the Brazilian, highlighting his leadership qualities and importance to the team.
Barcelona has struggled financially in recent years, and despite a new partnership with Nike that is expected to help ease their financial woes, the club’s economic situation remains fragile. This has led to speculation that they could look to cash in on some of their high-value assets, with Raphinha reportedly being one of those potentially available for the right price.
The winger’s situation has led to the growing belief that Barcelona might consider selling him in the near future, despite his incredible form. There are ongoing rumors that Barcelona is targeting Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams as a potential replacement, which could further open the door for Raphinha’s departure.
Arsenal, under Arteta’s guidance, have been one of the most impressive teams in Europe, both in domestic and international competitions. The Gunners are currently in a phase of squad rebuilding and strengthening, with Arteta looking to build a team capable of challenging for the Premier League title and deep runs in the Champions League. To that end, the club has been eyeing a number of players to bolster its squad, and Raphinha is reportedly one of their top targets for the upcoming transfer windows.
Arsenal is said to be considering a €90 million bid for Raphinha, which would be a significant investment. This move would also represent a shift in Arsenal’s transfer strategy, as Arteta has generally focused on younger players with high potential for growth and resale value. Raphinha, while still in his prime years at 27, would be an older acquisition compared to Arsenal’s typical transfer targets.
However, Raphinha’s attributes and current form make him an attractive option for Arteta. The Brazilian is a versatile winger, capable of playing on both flanks, and offers a combination of pace, technical skill, and creativity that Arsenal could certainly use in their attack. He has the ability to break down defenses with his dribbling, vision, and crossing ability, making him an ideal fit for Arteta’s fluid, attacking style of play.
Raphinha’s ability to deliver consistent contributions in front of goal, as well as create chances for his teammates, would provide an immediate boost to Arsenal’s attacking options. With Bukayo Saka being one of the first names on the team sheet for Arteta, Raphinha would add another high-quality winger to rotate with, allowing Arteta to have more depth and flexibility in his squad. Additionally, his ability to play on both wings would provide Arteta with tactical flexibility, allowing him to adapt his team to different opponents and game situations.
Despite Raphinha’s excellent performances this season, Barcelona’s financial difficulties remain a pressing concern. The club is still dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted their revenue streams, and although they have made efforts to stabilize their finances, they are not yet fully out of the woods. The club has been working hard to reduce its wage bill, and a player like Raphinha, who has a significant market value, could be seen as a potential cash cow for Barcelona.
Barcelona’s ongoing pursuit of Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao further highlights the club’s potential interest in offloading players in order to fund new signings. Williams, who has been impressive for Bilbao, would reportedly cost Barcelona far less than Raphinha, making him an attractive option given the club’s financial concerns. If Barcelona were able to secure Williams’ signature, they could look to sell Raphinha for a hefty sum, which could help balance their books.
The fact that Barcelona may be willing to sell Raphinha despite his form could present an opportunity for Arsenal. The Gunners could take advantage of this situation and make a move for a player who would otherwise be out of their financial reach. The reported €90 million bid would be a significant sum, but one that could potentially be worthwhile for Arsenal given the player’s quality and current form.
Arsenal’s interest in Raphinha is unusual for a number of reasons. First, as mentioned earlier, Arteta’s transfer strategy typically revolves around younger players with high potential. Arsenal has made a concerted effort to sign players like Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice, who are all in the early stages of their careers and have a lot of room for development. Raphinha, at 27, is a more established player, and the reported €90 million price tag is certainly not in line with Arsenal’s typical approach.
The Gunners have historically avoided making marquee signings that involve large financial outlays. Their most recent high-profile signings, like Jorginho and Leandro Trossard, were brought in for more modest fees compared to the reported price for Raphinha. However, there is a growing sense that Arsenal is willing to break from their usual transfer policies in order to make the leap to the next level.
Raphinha’s ability to contribute immediately at a high level, combined with his versatility, makes him a unique case. Arteta may be willing to take a risk and spend big on a player who can make an immediate impact on the team’s performance. Raphinha could help Arsenal become more dynamic in attack, offering a new dimension to their play and allowing them to compete with the best teams in Europe
A €90 million deal for Raphinha would be a significant financial commitment, even for a club of Arsenal’s size. However, the Gunners are in a strong financial position following their recent successes, which have helped them secure substantial revenue from Premier League and Champions League participation. The club’s increasing commercial revenue, coupled with the backing of their ownership group, means they are in a position to make such an investment.
Moreover, the potential return on investment for Raphinha could be high. The Brazilian winger’s attacking contributions would be crucial to Arsenal’s hopes of challenging for the Premier League and going deep into the Champions League. His presence would elevate Arsenal’s squad and help them compete with the best clubs in Europe. Should Raphinha continue his current form, his value could increase over time, making him a worthwhile investment for the club.
Arteta’s tactical setup at Arsenal has been a major factor in the team’s resurgence in recent seasons. The Spanish coach has instilled a fluid, possession-based style of play that focuses on quick transitions, high pressing, and creating overloads in wide areas. Raphinha’s ability to operate on either flank and contribute both goals and assists makes him an ideal candidate for Arteta’s system.
One of Arteta’s key strategies is to have wide players who can stretch the opposition, create space for midfield runners, and deliver dangerous crosses into the box. Raphinha’s dribbling skills and his capacity to take on defenders make him a threat in one-on-one situations, while his crossing ability allows him to provide service to Arsenal’s forwards. His speed and creativity would make him a dangerous weapon in Arteta’s system, allowing him to contribute both in wide areas and as an inverted winger when cutting inside.
Furthermore, Arteta places a high premium on versatility, and Raphinha’s ability to play on both wings would give the manager additional tactical flexibility. Whether on the right or left, Raphinha can be used to exploit different defensive weaknesses and create goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Arsenal’s reported interest in Raphinha is a significant development in the club’s transfer strategy, marking a potential shift in their approach to signings. The €90 million bid is a substantial commitment, but it could prove to be a shrewd investment given Raphinha’s exceptional form and the impact he could have on Arsenal’s attacking play. While the deal is unusual for Arsenal in terms of the age and price of the player, the potential rewards are clear. If Raphinha can maintain his form and deliver for Arsenal, the club would have made a major step forward in their bid for domestic and European glory.
