INEOS are now reportedly prepared to spend more than £100m to sign Raphinha from Barcelona under one circumstance at Manchester United in 2026.
The Red Devils owners have not been afraid to spend big on transfer fees in the last six months, despite their cost-saving measures off the pitch. Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues to back Ruben Amorim, who has shown signs that he could yet turn things around at Old Trafford, and that could yet result in further much-needed reinforcements.
INEOS have already seen the majority of their summer signings settle into life at Old Trafford, with Bryan Mbeumo even picking up the Premier League's Player of the Month award for October to match Amorim's Manager of the Month achievement. The former Brentford forward scored three goals and assisted one other to earn the award.
After watching Mbeumo pick up the award and claiming the Manager of the Month prize himself, Amorim told reporters: “The credit is not mine, the credit is for my players. They did really well, and our goal is to win the next one because it means we win football matches.”
The former Sporting CP boss, more than anyone, will be well aware that there's still a long way to go, however, and INEOS must still back the Red Devils in the transfer market.
On that front, those at Old Trafford have already been linked with 2026 moves for the likes of Elliot Anderson and Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. Anderson would be a particularly impressive signing, given how he's starred in a struggling Nottingham Forest side as of late, whilst Vlahovic would undoubtedly add depth to Amorim's frontline.
Neither of those players would be as impressive as Raphinha though, who has scored twice against Man United throughout his career.
Man Utd prepared to spend over £100m on Raphinha
According to reports in Spain, INEOS are now prepared to spend €120m (£105m) to sign Raphinha if Man United qualify for the Champions League this season. Qualification for the competition would hand the Red Devils further financial freedom and the ability to attract stars such as the Barcelona winger.
The Brazilian would instantly become Man United's record signing at £105m, finally dethroning the £89m fee that they paid to sign eventual flop Paul Pogba in 2016.
raphinha-barcelona
Unlike the Frenchman, Raphinha may well prove to be worth every penny after becoming one of the best wingers in the world at Barcelona and finishing fifth in the 2025 Ballon d'Or.
Whether a club-record bid would be enough to lure Barcelona into a sale is the big question. Manager Hansi Flick should be desperate to keep hold of his winger, having told reporters last season: “He has good dynamics with the ball and he has had an extraordinary match. His offensive and defensive dynamics, and his good technique, are something special. I have never had a player like him and he helps us a lot.”
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