ARSENAL are interested in signing Barcelona star Raphinha, according to reports.
The development comes after Chelsea beat the Gunners to the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk.
The Gunners had multiple bids for Mudryk rejected before Chelsea agreed a £97million bid with Shakhtar Donetsk for the winger.
Now Arsenal have turned their attention to Raphinha after previously showing an interest in the Brazilian while he was at Leeds, report Sport Italia.
Barcelona won the race for his signature in the summer, sealing a £57m deal.
But according to Sport the Spanish giants are demanding £88m to let him leave, despite him scoring only two goals in 18 LaLiga games.
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Arsenal are believed to have submitted an inquiry to Barcelona about Raphinha’s availability.
The Gunners are yet to make a bid for the 26-year-old but that could change after missing out on Mudryk.
Raphinha has struggled to re-create his Leeds form at the Nou Camp and risks being sold if he does not turn around his form.
Manager Xavi and the rest of his backroom stuff are thought to be getting “impatient” with the South American as they “expect much more from him”.
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Ousmane Dembele has made the right flank position his own ahead of Raphinha.
And there is a danger Ansu Fati could also leapfrog the ex-Leeds playmaker if his performances do not improve.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
