English clubs Arsenal and Chelsea lure Raphinha – double his salary?
Alex Caparros/GettyImages – The 29‑year‑old Brazilian Raphinha, a central Barca star, is, according to the Spanish portal El Nacional, the focus of two English clubs – Arsenal and Chelsea – that are ready to double his salary. One wonders whether he will succumb to the lure of money.
Raphinha's role in the Catalan attack
Raphinha is essentially indispensable from the FC Barcelona offense. The Brazilian consistently delivers enormously strong scoring numbers and is considered a perfect offensive partner for Lamine Yamal. The combination of Raphinha and Yamal shapes the style of play. In the 2024/25 season he recorded an impressive 60 official match goal contributions, underscoring his importance for the Blaugrana.
The winger arrived at Barca from Leeds United in 2022, with the Catalans spending €58 million on him. His contract runs until 2028, so a transfer could be possible as early as the summer of 2027, should he wish to leave the club.
English buying interests and possible transfer fee
In the still‑young 2026/27 season, Raphinha already has eight goals and two assists after six games. He has also been appointed captain of the side, further strengthening his leadership role.
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Two English clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea, want, according to the Spanish portal El Nacional, to bring the 29‑year‑old Barca star back to the Premier League. The two English clubs are said to be ready to double Raphinha's current salary at Barca in order to follow the lure of money.
According to Football365, a concrete move could already take place in the winter transfer window. Several English sources have already jumped on the bandwagon, further fueling interest in Raphinha.
Barca could, depending on its financial flexibility, make a counter‑offer itself to keep the Brazilian on a long‑term basis. A contract extension appears more likely than an immediate departure, yet the financial incentives from the English clubs remain tempting.