Tottenham ‘one of two Premier League clubs eyeing Raphinha’ amid doubts over former Leeds star’s Barcelona future
Tottenham have been named as one of two Premier League clubs reportedly interested in signing Raphinha from Barcelona.
That’s according to Spanish outlet Relevo, amid doubts over the Brazilian’s future with the Catalan giants.
The emergence of 16-year-old La Masia sensation Lamine Yamal has prompted questions over Raphinha’s role in the current Barca team and his future at the club.
The former Leeds United star is currently out with an injury and Yamal has seriously impressed in his absence, stepping into his role as a starting winger.
The teen star has played the full 90 minutes of Barcelona‘s last three LaLiga matches and was hailed in the Spanish press for being one of the best players on the pitch during that period.
It has led to a belief that he is ready to play a bigger role in the Barcelona team, and has led to questions over Raphinha’s role.
The Brazilian wide man has 14 goals and 19 assists in 70 appearances for Barcelona since his transfer from Leeds, but has only found the net four times this season.
It is claimed he very much wants to stay, having sealed his dream move to Barcelona in July 2022, but the club’s precarious financial situation means they may look to cash in on some of their stars.
And Raphinha might be one of them, with the reports in Spain claiming plenty of clubs are keen – including back in England.
Barcelona are said to have received offers for the 27-year-old last summer, including from Newcastle and Chelsea, but he stayed put.
Now, two other Premier League clubs are reportedly keen and have been in contact with his agents – one of those being Tottenham.
Spurs were linked with an interest in Raphinha in November, when it was reported they were readying an offer.
And while they landed other targets in the January transfer window – signing Timo Werner, Radu Dragusin and Swedish wonderkid Lucas Bergvall – it appears they are still keeping tabs on the ex-Leeds ace.
Raphinha is also being linked with several clubs in Saudi Arabia.
