Blaugrana in English Barcelona news
Raphinha ended up signing with Barcelona for €58m plus seven variants from Leeds. The Blaugrana club had to go the extra mile in the race with Chelsea, who made an important bid, and ended up closing their highest bid of the summer.
The Brazil international started out erratically and Xavi Hernandez didn’t give him an undisputed starting place in the line-up. In fact, Dembele is outpacing him and the change to the system to four midfielders in the most difficult matches could hurt him.
In Barcelona, no one questions Raphinha’s tremendous quality, but the numbers are clear and in the league he only played eight matches as a starter. The club and the technical district expect him to be more decisive in this second phase of the season.
The bet for him is still valid, but at the end of the season they will analyze their situation with his agent Deco again to make a decision. Barcelona may need a big sale in the summer and the Brazilian is in great demand. His agent maintains contact with several Premier League teams, but will only leave for a price equal to or higher than what he was paid.
Raphinha gives the highest priority to staying at FC Barcelona and not returning to the Premier League, but he will accept any decision. For now, the winger is focused on trying to make that jump in quality Barcelona needs to become an undisputed starter.
Barcelona’s sports administration met with Deco this week to talk about the Brazilian market and also about Raphinha’s present and future at the club. Barcelona aren’t entirely satisfied with the winger’s performance, though they admit he needs a period of adaptation.
But the truth is that he did not provide the expected return for the exorbitant money that was invested in contracting him last summer. Raphinha wants to continue, but Deco is clear there will be offers for him this summer from the Premier League and that money can be recouped. Everything is open.
Source: Sport
