Arsenal saw a 70m euro bid for Barcelona attacker Raphinha turned down in January as they looked to bolster their frontline, reports in Spain have revealed.
The Gunners were in pole position to land Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk in January, only for Chelsea to hijack the deal and take the talented Ukrainian attacker to west London rather than the Emirates Stadium.
And in the subsequent days, Arsenal were linked with several wingers, ultimately landing Brighton attacker Leandro Trossard in a deal worth £21m. However, as per Spanish outlet Sport, they tested the waters for Barcelona winger Raphinha before they landed on the Belgian.
‘Barcelona received a €70 million offer from Arsenal this winter for the Brazilian Raphinha’, they claim, adding that it was swiftly rejected despite it being ‘financially good business’ for the Blaugrana.
Mikel Arteta’s admiration of Raphinha is an open secret, with Arsenal at one point in pole position to land the attacker when he was at Leeds United last summer, only to be gazumped first by Chelsea and then by Barcelona for the Brazilian’s signature.
And, despite a less than rosy beginning to life at Camp Nou, the 26-year-old winger has played 32 games for Barça, with seven goals and nine assists to his name.
“Raphinha will be important for us, I have no doubts on that,” Xavi said (via Fabrizio Romano). “Rafa will be very important as I have great confidence in him for Barcelona’s future.”
While Arsenal remain interested in the winger, it appears very much like that particular ship has sailed.
