Leeds United’s top scorer for last season, Raphinha, is on the radar of several elite clubs, one of them being Arsenal. With Leeds barely avoiding relegation in the recently concluded season, the club’s major players are attracting interest from potential high-profile buyers.
The Brazillian winger has been in high demand after finishing the campaign with 11 goals for Leeds in the Premier League this season (stats obtained via Transfermarkt). The 11 goals have become such a highlight for him because most of the club’s key players succumbed to injuries around the mid-season mark and were unavailable for a long period after that, leaving the entire goalscoring responsibility solely on the 25-year-old’s shoulders. Raphinha has contributed to about a third of Leeds’ goals the previous season.
According to The Telegraph, despite interest from West Ham and Barcelona, Arsenal could end up being the final destination for Raphinha. The report also suggests that the North London side could well be without their record signing, Nicolas Pépé, next season as the player might be forced to switch clubs after a dismal display at the Emirates.
Raphinha is a versatile forward who is best described by his industrious work ethic along with his incredibly well-rounded attacking output. Raphinha is generally known for his chance creation, finishing, and dead-ball specialities which is why it is no surprise that clubs like Barcelona, Arsenal, and even Spurs, as reported by The Athletic, are after the winger’s signature.
The Athletic believes that Leeds are open to selling their star player as they understand Raphinha’s ambition, but will let the player leave only if their valuation of the winger is met financially. Raphinha aims to play in European competitions as he moves ahead in his career and as a result isn’t eager to renew his contract with the Peacocks.
After failing to renew his contract, Alexandre Lacazette has rejoined his old club Olympique Lyon after 5 years. The Gunners also lost Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona for free after being frozen out by gaffer Mikel Arteta. In addition to that, Bukayo Saka only managed to create an output of 11 goals in the Premier League the previous season (stats via transfermarkt), the same as Raphinha but the Brazillian did it in an undeniably inferior team.
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Barcelona are currently under £1billion in debt and struggling to sign their top transfer target, Robert Lewandowski. It is difficult to see them make more signings after that. Tottenham have also signed a winger in Ivan Perisic, which sometimes clashes with the position Raphinha occupies.
Arsenal suffer a severe lack of depth on the wings while they also need a striker. Raphinha has the capability to slot in as a pseudo striker too which can be a helpful bonus for Arsenal who would hope to finish in the Champions League spots in the coming season.
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