Arsenal could be set to return to the table for Barcelona star Raphinha, just months after missing out on the Brazil international.
The Gunners had looked to be on the verge of completing a deal for No.1 January target Mykhaylo Mudryk after weeks of negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk, only for Chelsea to swoop in at the last minute. With the Ukraine international on his way to west London and the Gunners refusing to match their £87million total offer for the 22-year-old, the Premier League leaders have been forced to look elsewhere.
And that has seen them return to Raphinha, who was on Arsenal's radar over the summer before leaving Leeds United for Barcelona. The South American hasn't enjoyed the best of starts at Camp Nou, though, and there have been reports suggesting Xavi's team are already prepared to cash in.
As first reported by the Evening Standard, Arsenal have continued to monitor Raphinha's situation since his £55m summer move. The former Rennes star has just two goals and two assists in 15 league games for his new club, although Barca themselves sit top of the table with just one defeat all season.
It has been tougher for Xavi's side in Europe, where they suffered a surprise early elimination from the Champions League. Raphinha failed to net in five appearances as Barca finished third in their group behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
The Catalan club spent big over the summer, with the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde joining Raphinha at Camp Nou. But their finances remain balanced on a knife-edge and if they are forced to sell players to raise funds, the 26-year-old - of whom Arsenal's sporting director Edu is a big fan - may well be a candidate.
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"I just said to Deco, 'Can you explain to me the situation with Raphinha?' and he was clear," Edu told Sky Sports over the summer. "[He said] 'Edu, we have a good relationship but I'm not going to lie to you, his idea is to go to Barcelona because he's dreaming to go to Barcelona, and we've been talking to Barcelona since a long time ago.'
"[I said] Okay, thank you very much; if something happens then just let me know because I can explore and understand the situation. If not, no problem and we carry on with our relationship."
Raphinha isn't the only player to be linked with Arsenal as an alternative to Mudryk, who looks set to set Chelsea back an initial £62m plus add-ons. Yeremy Pino and Moussa Diaby were both linked over the summer, and the pair have been mentioned once more as potential recruits.
Meanwhile, pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Chelsea have "financially bullied" Arsenal over Mudryk. "Chelsea can just turn up with an open wallet and say, ‘What do you want?’" he told talkSPORT. “I think it’s a good signing, but it’s going to hurt Arsenal and it’s going to hurt Arsenal fans.”
