Barcelona president Joan Laporta has stated that Raphinha will not be leaving the club during the current transfer window. Despite ongoing speculation linking the Brazil international with a move to the Saudi Pro League, Laporta confirmed that the forward is considered a crucial player for the La Liga champions.
Clubs from the Saudi Pro League have reportedly shown interest in Raphinha, with suggestions that substantial fees could be offered for the player. However, Laporta has indicated that Barcelona has no intention of selling him. He emphasised Raphinha’s importance to the team, stating, “Raphinha will stay. We have no interest in him leaving Barca. He’s a key player.”
Interest from Saudi Arabia
Al Hilal, a prominent club in the Saudi Pro League, has reportedly been persistent in their pursuit of Raphinha. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Al Hilal continues to explore options to sign the Barcelona winger. The Saudi club has identified Raphinha as a key target to strengthen their attack, alongside other high-profile players.
Despite this sustained interest, Raphinha’s priority remains with Barcelona. Reports suggest that the player has no immediate plans to seek an exit from the club. Romano noted that Raphinha is currently focused on Barcelona, though he acknowledged that the situation could potentially change later in the summer if the player were to consider a move to Saudi Arabia.
Raphinha’s focus has been on his recovery and preparation for the upcoming season with Barcelona, particularly following a hamstring injury that limited his appearances in the 2026 World Cup. He only made two appearances in the competition and was not fit to play in the knockout rounds against Japan or Norway.
Barcelona’s Stance and Squad Changes
Barcelona has not received any requests from Raphinha or his representatives indicating a desire to leave. The club’s sporting department is reportedly not inclined to negotiate his departure. Hansi Flick, the team’s coach, views Raphinha as a leader within the attacking unit, valuing his creativity, work rate, and influence in the dressing room.
The club has been active in strengthening its attack this summer, with the addition of Anthony Gordon and an agreement to sign Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund. These new signings, however, do not signal an intention to let Raphinha go, according to Laporta. He reiterated that despite these reinforcements, Raphinha remains crucial for the team.
In other squad developments, Robert Lewandowski has left Barcelona on a free transfer this summer. There is also ongoing speculation regarding the future of Ferran Torres. Barcelona’s primary target for the final third of the field remains Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, with the club hoping to secure the Argentina international during the current transfer window.
Since joining Barcelona from Leeds United in July 2022, Raphinha has represented the Catalan outfit on 177 occasions, scoring 75 goals and registering 59 assists in the process. His most productive season was 2024-25, where he recorded 34 goals and 26 assists across 57 appearances in all competitions.
Last season, despite fitness issues, Raphinha still managed to score 21 goals and provide eight assists in 33 appearances for Hansi Flick’s team.
Raphinha will turn 30 in December.
Read Also
Source: sportsmole.co.uk
