MX23RW : Monday, November 4 21:37:39| >> :120:16347:16347:

Chelsea 'to rival Tottenham Hotspur for Barcelona winger Raphinha'

Chelsea 'to rival Spurs for Barcelona winger Raphinha'
© Reuters
Chelsea are reportedly ready to rival Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Barcelona winger Raphinha.

Chelsea are reportedly still interested in signing Barcelona winger Raphinha in the summer.

In 2022, soon after the takeover of the Blues, new co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital attempted to bring in Raphinha from Leeds United.

However, like they later did with Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, the Premier League outfit lost out to Barcelona in the race for his signature.

Since his arrival at Camp Nou, Raphinha can claim to have enjoyed a successful stint, winning a La Liga title and contributing 14 goals and 19 assists from 70 appearances in all competitions.

Nevertheless, at a time when Barcelona's financial issues have been well-documented, it has been suggested that Raphinha is viewed as their most sellable asset.

Barcelona's Raphinha looks dejected after the match on December 16, 2023© Reuters

As it stands, the 27-year-old may see no reason to depart Barcelona courtesy of making regular appearances, albeit some of them coming from the substitutes' bench.

That said, there is likely to only be increasing interest in Raphinha's services if clubs - particularly Premier League teams - are aware of his availability.

According to Fichajes, Chelsea remain interested in trying to entice Raphinha to Stamford Bridge in the next transfer window.

With Boehly and Clearlake Capital having spent in excess of £1bn across their first three transfer windows, Chelsea have just endured a January where they made no senior additions.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino reacts on December 16, 2023© Reuters

Pochettino is also well stocked for options in the final third, with Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke able to operate from the flanks.

Unless things changes, there appears little prospect of any of that quartet leaving Chelsea due to their long-term contracts, yet Raphinha seemingly appears high on the club's shortlist.

A recent report claimed that Chelsea must first make numerous sales in the summer, before their next accounts are due on June 30, if they are to fully comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations.

Should that prove to be true, Chelsea would have to wait until July to make their move, a situation that would not suit Barcelona at a time when the Catalan giants need to make widespread cutbacks of their own.

Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are also said to be monitoring the situation, the latter also having work to do to ensure that they have a more balanced hold of FFP matters going forward.

ID:536105:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5043:

Click here for more stories about Raphinha

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Raphinha looks dejected after the match on December 16, 2023
Read Next:
Tottenham 'make contact over summer move for Raphinha'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Bournemouth104331312115
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
11Brentford94141818013
12Fulham93331212012
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!