Newcastle go all out for Barca's Raphinha

Everyone knows it, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta is willing to do all it takes to get Leo Messi to Catalonia in the summer. The Argentine, who doesn't seem to be liking Paris, would like to return himself to the club where he built his legendary status.

However, Barca will have to make a big effort to get the world champion back. This means Barcelona are under the watchful eye of the 'Financial Fair Play' regulations, and they've got to significantly reduce their wage bill in order to be able to recruit this summer. La Liga president Javier Tebas had previously warned the Spanish giants: "Barca will have to take several financial measures to be able to get Messi in. They need to make a lot of changes to get him in". Therefore, several players are welcome to leave this summer, including Raphinha.

According to 'Mundo Deportivo', Newcastle would really like to sign Raphinha this summer. After already being interested in the player while he was at Leeds, the Magpies have kept an eye on him, and may make Barca an offer during the next window. Currently fourth in the Premier League, Saint-Maximin's side are still in the race for Champions League, which may interest Raphinha, if he has no choice but to leave the Catalonian city.

With the return of Dembele to the starting eleven, as well as Lionel Messi's potential home-coming, the Brazilian would be destined for the bench, meaning he may want to look elswhere. This season, the Brazil international has scored 9 goals and 9 assists in 41 appearances.

 

April 19, 2023