Raphinha Next Club Odds: Arsenal Ahead Of The Rest To Buy Him

Raphinha secured a dream transfer to Barcelona last summer, but media reports and betting sites believe he could be on the move again just a few months later.

The Brazil international has struggled to make an impression at the Camp Nou, contributing only two goals in his 15 La Liga appearances to date. 

Raphinha is no longer a regular starter under Xavi Hernandez, fuelling speculation that he could be ready to seek pastures new already.

The issue is complicated by Barcelona’s well-documented financial problems, which dictate they must continually balance the books to ensure they are complying with La Liga regulations. 

If Xavi decides Raphinha is no longer of much use to him, it would probably suit Barcelona to get his wages off the books.

So, where might the former Leeds United man end up if he does bid farewell to Barcelona in the winter window? 

Check out the latest odds below, then read our take on the situation.

Arsenal Could Be About To Turn Attention To Brazilian

For much of January, Arsenal appeared to be in pole position to sign Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk. 

In the end, though, the Ukraine international signed for Chelsea, who gazumped their London rivals to his signature. 

Given how hard Arsenal pushed to sign Mudryk, they are unlikely to end the transfer window without having added another forward to their ranks. 

With Wilfried Zaha set to stay at Crystal Palace until the summer at least, Raphinha has emerged as a potential target.

The left-footed winger is priced at 4/1 to sign for the Gunners, who looked into the possibility of acquiring him from Leeds before the start of the campaign. 

Needless to say, Arsenal are a much more attractive proposition now than they were then.

Might Chelsea Renew Interest In Former Target?

No one at Chelsea is looking at their squad and concluding it is short of attackers. 

A few days before Mudryk’s arrival in west London, Joao Felix was added to Graham Potter’s group. 

The Blues boss also has Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and David Datro Fofana available to him, while Armando Broja is on the books but injured for the rest of the season.

Yet Chelsea did not need another forward before they signed Mudryk either. Pulisic, Ziyech and Aubameyang could all be on their way out, if not now then in the summer. 

Todd Boehly loves a transfer and he tried to sign Raphinha in the summer, so odds of 8/1 on football betting sites feel about right. 

Tottenham Seek Reinforcements Amid Poor Run Of Form

German, French and Italian outfits are given an equal 12/1 shot on BetVictor of buying Raphinha, but the Premier League is where the money is. 

If Barcelona do choose to sell the Brazil international, they would no doubt like to see him move back to England, especially as mega-rich Paris Saint-Germain are not in the market for a forward.

Tottenham are available at 12/1 to win the race for Raphinha’s signature, but this one feels improbable. 

Antonio Conte does not have bottomless funds available to him and the Italian seems to be prioritising a new wing-back this month.

Newcastle Hoping To Bolster Squad For Top-Four Push

Newcastle extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches with a 1-0 victory over Fulham on Sunday. 

It was by no means their strongest showing of the season and it took the Magpies until the 89th minute to make the breakthrough, but Eddie Howe’s side look like genuine Premier League top four contenders this term.

Even though Miguel Almiron has shone in a right-sided role, the Newcastle boss would no doubt love to add a player of Raphinha’s quality to his squad. 

Whether the Brazilian would be interested in such a switch at this stage remains to be seen, but Newcastle are listed at 12/1.

Raphinha Return To Leeds Is A Pipe Dream For Now

Raphinha enjoyed two fantastic seasons at Leeds United after joining from Rennes. 

He starred upon their return to the Premier League, helping Marcelo Bielsa’s side secure a ninth-place finish in 2020/21 and then being an instrumental figure as the club narrowly avoided relegation last season.

Yet although Leeds fans would love to see Raphinha return to Elland Road in the future, there is close to zero chance of that happening in the next two weeks. 

Similarly, odds of 25/1 with betting apps on him penning a contract with Aston Villa or West Ham United are insufficiently short given the sheer unlikelihood of Raphinha ending up at a club in the bottom half of the Premier League this month.