Raphinha joined Barcelona from Leeds United on Wednesday shortly after 13:00 CEST, according to Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona.
Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha were the Catalans’ top targets for the next campaign. The battle to sign the Pole with Bayern Munich rages on, and the German club will not sell the forward for less than their 50 million euro asking price.
Raphinha’s circumstance, though, was quite different. Both the Brazilian and his club were on the same page when it became evident that he would depart Leeds this summer. If the West Yorkshire outfit was relegated last season, it would have allowed Barca to negotiate a lower fee. Hence, Leeds’ survival ensured the deal ultimately cost them between 60 and 70 million euros.
The Brazilian has always intended to move to Camp Nou, but he had to wait for the economic levers to be pulled to increase the team’s financial stability. Something finally happened, which meant that Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, officially announced the winger’s 60 million euros signing.
"Hello, Culers! This is Raphinha and I'm in Barcelona!" pic.twitter.com/qIZUMidyn1
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 13, 2022
In a deal that also included PSG, Arsenal, and Chelsea as contenders, there were many turns and turns. Specifically, Chelsea agreed to sign him for a fee that was more than Barca’s (between 70 and 75 million euros), but the athlete was persuaded by the sporting endeavor of the Spanish side.
His agent, Deco, is well known in Catalan city and was instrumental in getting his client a job at Barca. Additionally, the player wanted to play for Barca which made the negotiation a bit easier.
Finally, everything worked out the way both parties desired, and they will now strengthen the right flank, which might include Ousmane Dembele.
Leo Messi’s departure to PSG last summer was a setback that Barcelona is yet to get over. Additionally, the team’s success during the previous season was impacted by the injuries to players like Pedri and Ansu Fati. A revolution is needed on the team in every aspect; this process has started last winter.
In order to boost their goal scoring statistics, the Camp Nou team also acquired Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Raphinha is the first piece of a puzzle that will need to be completed this summer. However, considering the state of the club, they require funding.
Lewandowski, Bernardo Silva, Kounde, and Koulibaly are just a few of the football players they intend to recruit with the 80 million they hope to make from the sale of Frenkie de Jong.
Although not all of them will play, the goal is to strengthen every aspect of the field so that the team can once again compete at the highest level not only in Spain but also in Europe.
Raphinha will be able to give Barca a lot of versatility in addition to speed, the ability to elude defenders, and the capacity to score. In the 36 games he played last season, the Brazilian had his greatest season in the Premier League, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists.
Raphinha
Brazilian footballer Raphael Dias Belloli, also known as Raphinha, was born on December 14, 1996. He used to play as a winger for Leeds United of the Premier League and the Brazil national team. He will sign with La Liga club Barcelona if his medical is successful in the coming hours.
Net Worth
The 23-year-old Brazilian defender began his career in his home country, Brazil, before moving on to play in France and Portugal before joining Leeds United in the summer of 2010.
His net worth increased to an estimated 9 million euros as a result of his four-year contract with the Elland Road side (8 Million Pound). Leeds United paid £17 million to sign a young player with a lot of potential; we believe his market value is close to that sum.
Does Raphinha have a girlfriend?
The Brazilian winger, who is 23 years old, is available for dating. The feisty Leeds speed merchant has a lot of love to give, but until he meets a female, he can share it with his cute pet dogs.
Honours
Sporting CP
- Taça de Portugal: 2018–19
- Taça da Liga: 2018–19
Individual
- Vitória Guimarães Breakthrough Player of the Year: 2017
