All of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have reportedly made it clear that they are interested in signing Barcelona wing wizard Raphinha during the January transfer window.
The Brazilian was unable to make a difference in Sunday's shock 1-0 La Liga loss to Leganes, but he has been one of Europe's best-performing attackers under Hansi Flick in the 2024-25 season.
Raphinha did not immediately set the world alight at Camp Nou following his arrival from Leeds United in 2022, but he has been directly involved in 27 goals in 23 games this season, 17 of his own and 10 assists.
The 28-year-old has excelled on both wings and in a central area for Barcelona this term, working in tandem with Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo in the Blaugrana's fearsome attacking quartet.
Thanks in no small part to Raphinha's exploits, Barcelona sit top of the La Liga table - albeit only ahead of Atletico Madrid on goal difference - and Flick's side are also second in the Champions League table behind Liverpool.
Premier League trio 'remain in contact' over Raphinha deal
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Barcelona fended off interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to sign Raphinha from Leeds for £48.2m in the summer of 2022, and the South American's contract still has two-and-a-half years left to run.
Raphinha's future has often been called into question since he touched down at Camp Nou, though, and TBRFootball claims that Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City are still in contact with intermediaries over a possible swoop.
The Catalan giants' financial situation is not as dire as it once was, but they are still under pressure to balance the books, and all three Premier League clubs have apparently made it clear to Barcelona that they would be willing to take Raphinha off their hands should they need to make a huge sale.
The La Liga leaders have not been able to register Dani Olmo or Pau Victor for the second half of the season due to the fact that they are operating over their La Liga spending cap, and they only have until December 31 to make cuts or boost their coffers by other means.
However, the report adds that Barcelona are not giving any thought to the possibility of selling Raphinha in January, as they anticipate a new sponsorship deal with Nike will provide the solution to their economic concerns.
Raphinha has amassed a total of 37 goals and 35 assists in 110 appearances for Barca in the 2024-25 season, and he has won one La Liga title and one Spanish Super Cup during his time in Catalonia.
Which Premier League club needs Raphinha the most?
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A versatile attacker with a killer end product, it is easy to see why the Premier League's top three are all said to be circling around Raphinha, who also proved his worth in the English top flight during his couple of seasons at Leeds.
At Arsenal, none of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli or Raheem Sterling have been cutting the mustard on the left-hand side in recent weeks, and Bukayo Saka remains without a competent backup on the opposite flank.
Liverpool could also do worse than try to lure Raphinha to Anfield if contract talks with Mohamed Salah break down, but the Reds are still optimistic that the Egyptian will sign a new deal, and they already have Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott as backup options.
However, Man City's Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Savinho and Jack Grealish have just six goals between them in the 2024-25 season, and the absence of a prolific wide man is sticking out like a sore thumb at the Etihad, so the Premier League champions could arguably do with a Raphinha-type player more than their rivals.
Ben Knapton
