Arsenal eye €80M January move for in-form Raphinha, but Barcelona will resist selling.
Full name: Arsenal Football Club Nickname: The Gunners Founded: October 1886 Stadium: Emirates Stadium Owner: Kroenke Sports and Entertainment Co-chairmen: Stan Kroenke, Josh Kroenke Manager: Mikel Arteta League: Premier League Season 2025/26: Champions Website: arsenal.com Arsenal football club is one… Read More about ARSENAL
Raphinha is flying at Barcelona, and that has not gone unnoticed in London. The Brazil star has six goal involvements in three league games. Now, Arsenal want a huge January transfer move, as per latest news. But getting him may be a very different matter.
Arsenal eye €80m move for Raphinha
As reported by CaughtOffside, Arsenal are considering a bid of around €80M for Raphinha in January. The report says the winger has started the season in superb form, scoring six goals and adding one assist in his first four La Liga games. The Gunners are looking at him after failing to land Julian Alvarez in the summer. They also lost Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli. That has left Mikel Arteta with fewer senior options.
Raphinha fits exactly what Arsenal needs. He can play on either flank and can also move into a central role. His pace, work rate and direct style could add more punch to the attack. Still, this is only a reported plan. There is no sign yet that a bid has been made or accepted.
Raphinha’s stats for Barcelona for the 2025/26 season, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists
La Liga 22 13 3
Copa Del Rey 2 1 1
Champions League 7 3 2
Barcelona have little reason to sell Raphinha
Barcelona had earlier been open to listening to offers for Raphinha. There were said to be bids to consider, with figures close to €100M mentioned. A sale could have helped the Catalan side fund other moves. The picture looks harder for Arsenal now. Barcelona would have little reason to sell their Brazilian star during the middle of the season. He is 29, but he remains a key part of Hansi Flick’s attack and he has started the campaign in hugely impressive form.
Raphinha also has a contract with Barcelona until June 2028. His release clause stands at €1 billion. That does not mean Barcelona would demand that fee, but it shows their control over his future. Raphinha has also been linked with interest from Al Hilal, who were said to be ready to offer him a huge salary. That gives the winger more choices if he ever decides to leave Spain.
ArsenalArsenal
A difficult January task for Arsenal
A January deal would be hard for Arsenal to pull off. Barcelona would need to agree to lose a player who is already in top form. The timing matters too. Raphinha may also have little reason to leave. He has a strong chance of chasing La Liga and Champions League success with Barcelona. Moving back to England would bring a new challenge, but it would also bring more pressure.
The Premier League side must also judge the cost. €80M is a huge fee for a player who would turn 30 next year. It would make sense only if Arteta sees him as a major part of the team’s plan. For now, this looks like a transfer idea, not a deal close to completion.
Author’s Opinion
Raphinha would add real quality to Arsenal’s attack, but €80M is a serious sum. His current form makes the idea exciting. Yet January deals are hard. The Gunners should move only if they can offer him regular football and believe he can make a clear difference.
READ MORE: Marcus Rashford gets positive injury news after Everton exit.
ALSO READ: Conor Bradley set for 2027 return after latest Liverpool update.
READ NEXT: Ismaila Sarr: Liverpool decide on January move after summer.