Barcelona close in on ‘MIRACLE’ sale

Barcelona’s financial problems could be eased dramatically by the “miracle” sale of Raphinha, with president Joan Laporta having brokered a big-money agreement over the Brazil international, according to a report.

Barca face the prospect of a difficult summer if they are unable to make big sales. Their financial position is such that they are likely to be forced to operate primarily in the free transfer market unless two or three major deals are completed.

Sport reports that Laporta is on the verge of completing one of these, with Raphinha set to be shipped out to the Saudi Pro League for an eye-watering figure. El Nacional describes the offer Barcelona have received as being a “miracle” for the club.

Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham have all been linked with the former Rennes and Leeds winger, but this offer is set to blow these clubs out of the water.

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The 27-year-old has struggled to justify the €60 million transfer fee that Barca paid Leeds for him 18 months ago, although he has recorded four goals and six assists in just 906 minutes of LaLiga football this season.

“Right now it seems that the Blaugrana ’11’ has more than one foot outside the Barcelona club, especially seeing the stratospheric offer that has come for him in recent weeks, which has completely convinced Joan Laporta to sell him,” El Nacional reports.

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Saudi in €80m Raphinha bid

Sport states that Barcelona are in line for a massive windfall that will exceed their valuation of the player.

“The price of the transfer fee that Saudi Arabia are willing to pay far exceeds the valuation made months ago by Barca in relation to the Brazilian international, which was €80m,” the report says.

Data analytics experts SciSports’ data shows that Raphinha has been performing to a high standard this season, despite the feeling at Barcelona.

Raphinha vs LaLiga wingers: 2023/24

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Indeed, of all LaLiga wingers, he posts the best overall statistics, according to its data. Given he has a goal contribution every 90 minutes, this is perhaps not too hard to believe.

Equally, though, Barcelona are not in a position to turn down a sum well in excess of Raphinha’s transfer valuation.

FootballTransfers’ algorithm prices the winger at €25.5m with three years left to run on his contract. His top Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) was €48m, so any offer upwards of €80m is, indeed, a miracle.