Barcelona have supposedly turned down an approach of €60m (£51.4m) to sell Raphinha back to the Premier League.
The former Leeds United man was the jewel in the Elland Road crown during his two years in the English top flight, helping the Whites stay afloat in the Premier League with 17 goals and 12 assists.
Raphinha was the subject of interest from all of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2022, but he opted to leave English shores in search of a new challenge in La Liga.
The 27-year-old has not set the world alight in Barcelona colours but boasts a respectable record of 19 goals and 22 assists in 82 games, winning the La Liga title in his first campaign with the club.
A positive 2023-24 campaign has seen Raphinha find the back of the net nine times in 32 games - including three strikes across two Champions League quarter-final legs with Paris Saint-Germain - in addition to providing 10 assists.
Barcelona name asking price for Raphinha
Raphinha has benefitted from Gavi's ACL injury and Joao Felix falling out of favour to earn regular starts on the left in recent times, but he has only featured in 13 La Liga matches from the first whistle this term.
The Brazil international's contract does not expire until 2027, but he has long been linked with a return to England, and an unnamed Premier League team apparently tried their luck with a €60m (£51.4m) approach.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, the La Liga champions turned down the proposal, but they would still be open to parting ways with Raphinha if an interested party stumps up an €80m (£68.5m) package.
Despite Raphinha's recent impressive exploits, Barca can also call upon Ferran Torres on the left wing, while the club are also working to keep Atletico Madrid loanee Felix beyond the end of the season.
With the Blaugrana also under pressure to make more big-money sales, a return to England cannot be ruled out for Raphinha, who may be at the centre of an intense transfer battle this summer.
Which Premier League teams could do with Raphinha?
While the report does not state which team lodged the unsuccessful bid for the winger, his trickery, versatility and eye for goal would make him a highly attractive option for a number of Big Six sides.
North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are both believed to be keeping an eye on his future following their 2022 failures, and it is easy to see why the two capital giants want to add him to their ranks.
Arsenal are crying out for a Premier League-proven option on the right to ease the workload on Bukayo Saka, while the Lilywhites will likely let Bryan Gil leave and are undecided on signing Timo Werner from RB Leipzig permanently.
Manchester United's name has also been mentioned due to the Jadon Sancho saga, but if Erik ten Hag leaves his post this summer, the Englishman would supposedly consider starting afresh at Old Trafford.
If Liverpool fans' fears become a reality and Mohamed Salah departs at the end of the season, Raphinha would be a natural replacement on the right, although the Reds are not thought to have a serious interest in the 27-year-old at this moment in time. body check tags ::
