Arsenal planning for Barcelona winger Raphinha after Mykhaylo Mudryk blow

Raphinha was also a player at the top of Arsenal’s wishlist in the summer.

Arsenal are planning at the possibility of signing Barcelona winger Raphinha after losing Mykhaylo Mudryk’s transfer race to Chelsea, Sport Italia claims.

Mudryk was once Arsenal’s first priority and they have been linked since the summer. However, the Ukrainian is now on his way to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth €100 million.

Arsenal’s hierarchy have made it clear that they won’t meet the demands of Shakhtar and Mudryk could be confirmed as a Chelsea player.

It is now reported that the board are looking at alternative solutions and the first name that pops up is Raphinha.

Arsenal had their sights on pursuing the Brazil international from Leeds United last summer, but the winger had the clear intention of joining the Catalan giants.

Raphinha did really well for Barcelona, scoring eight goal from 22 appearances this season, but he has been limited to just 49 minutes per game.

Sport Italia now reports that the Gunners have had ‘exploratory contacts in the last hours’ for Raphinha to ‘understand the possible feasibility of the negotiation’. They have yet to make a bid.

Raphinha was a player at the top of Arsenal’s wishlist in the summer. Edu Gaspar himself confirmed that he had held talks with his agent Deco, who has been a close friend of his.

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