Arsenal’s struggles in front of goal this season have prompted manager Mikel Arteta to prioritize attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Barcelona Dismiss Arsenal’s £75m Offer for Raphinha Amid Winger’s Red-Hot Form
Among the Gunners’ targets is Barcelona winger Raphinha, but reports suggest their initial bid of £75 million is unlikely to succeed.
The Brazilian winger has been in scintillating form for the Catalan giants this season, contributing 12 goals and eight assists in just 17 appearances across all competitions.
Such performances have made him a cornerstone of Xavi Hernandez’s plans, with Barcelona reportedly valuing him far above Arsenal’s offer.
According to Spanish media, the La Liga champions consider Raphinha “a fundamental pillar” of their future and have no intention of letting him go for less than €100 million (£87 million).
This news comes as a blow to Arsenal, who are keen to address their attacking deficiencies. The North London side has managed just four points from their last four Premier League matches, a run that has seen them slide to fourth in the table.
With only 21 goals scored in the league so far—ranking behind six other teams—Arsenal’s lack of cutting-edge quality has become a glaring issue.
Their poor form began with a shock 2-0 loss to Bournemouth, where William Saliba’s first Premier League red card disrupted the team’s defensive stability.
Since then, a 2-2 draw against league leaders Liverpool, a narrow 1-0 defeat to Newcastle, and a 1-1 stalemate with Chelsea have compounded Arsenal’s woes.
Arteta is determined to shake things up, but prying Raphinha away from Barcelona is proving a difficult task. The former Leeds United star, who joined Barcelona in 2022, has thrived in La Liga after adjusting to his role in Xavi’s tactical system.
His creativity and clinical finishing are qualities Arsenal sorely need, yet Barcelona’s resistance means the Gunners may have to look elsewhere—or increase their offer significantly.
While Raphinha remains Arsenal’s marquee target, some pundits have floated alternative names. Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit recently suggested Paul Pogba as a potential addition.
However, the 32-year-old Frenchman’s lengthy injury struggles and inconsistent form make him a risk, as Petit himself admitted, calling such a move “a gamble.”
Arsenal’s ambition in pursuing Raphinha demonstrates their intent to remain competitive in the Premier League and Europe.
However, with Barcelona unwilling to budge, Arteta and the club’s recruitment team face a critical decision: go all-in for the Brazilian or explore more attainable targets.
As the January window approaches, Arsenal fans will be hoping the club’s proactive approach can reignite their season and bring back the free-flowing football they’ve grown to love under Arteta.
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