A Saudi Arabian club could now be set to launch a huge bid for a player who has often been linked with an Arsenal move in the future.
Perhaps the international break will prove to be a perfect opportunity for Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar to sit down and iron out some transfer targets for the summer.
Yes, a plan will be being prepared for this vital Manchester City tie a week today, but Arsenal do need to prepare for their success next season too.
The club were ready and waiting to strike deals for the likes of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz last season, moves that were planned way in advance.
Therefore, it seems logical to think that Arteta and his side will have one or two priority names on their list right now.
And if one of those names is former Leeds United star and current Barcelona player, Raphinha, Arsenal may be frustrated.
Having impressed at Wembley for Brazil against England last night, Sport in Spain are now reporting that Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal, are about to launch a £86m bid for the winger.
Saudi club Al Hilal set to launch huge bid for Arsenal linked winger Raphinha
Raphinha, who has been very complimentary about Arsenal recently, has often been linked with a move to North London.
However, this report from Sport suggests that the proposed bid from Al Hilal would be accepted by Barcelona, one considered to be ‘irrefutable’.
Since moving to Barcelona for £55m back in 2022, Raphinha has by no means been a failure at the Catalan club, but perhaps hasn’t quite reached the heights hoped.
But at 27-years-old, there’s definitely reason to believe that the Brazilian still has a lot more left to offer – as Al Hilal seemed to agree.
The report details that the profit would be ‘impossible’ to ignore for a Barcelona side that is trying to rebuild on all fronts.
Of course, it wouldn’t seem too advisable for Arsenal to get involved in a bidding war on this occasion, a scenario unlikely to present value from their point of view.
Mikel Arteta would definitely benefit from the arrival of one more elite winger, someone who can seriously challenge Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
However, a profile like Nico Williams at Athletic Bilbao may seem more advisable, a high-potential young player available at a more sensible price.
Although thought to be in a relatively strong financial position, it wouldn’t make sense for Arsenal to compete with the Saudi Arabian club in this scenario for Raphinha, even if he has proven how ‘unbelievable‘ he can be in England.
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