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Al Hilal have reportedly set sights on signing Raphinha from Barcelona. The Saudi Pro League side's manager, Jorge Jesus, is keen on signing the Brazilian and has reportedly initiated direct contact.
As per a report in Mundo Deportivo, Al Hilal are prepared to try their best to sign Raphinha this summer. The Saudi Pro League side already have Neymar and Malcom in their squad and are hoping that a reunion with his compatriots would tempt the Barcelona star.
Jorge has now held talks with the winger, who is with the national side at Copa America. The manager is keen to add more forwards to the squad that won the league last season.
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Barcelona are said to be open to a sale this summer and have put a €100 million price tag on the winger. However, the Saudi Pro League side want to get the deal done for around €90 million and are confident that it will materialize.
The Catalan side have reportedly identified Liverpool's Luis Diaz and Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao as Raphinha's potential replacements.
Raphinha had no plans to leave Barcelona before the last season but has something changed?
Raphinha has repeatedly stated that he has no plans to leave Barcelona. The Brazilian wants to stay and fight for his place at the club despite being linked with a Premier League return and a move to Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo at the end of the 2022/23 season, the winger highlighted that he had a few years left on his deal and was not thinking about leaving. He said:
“I have a few more years on my contract and I plan to fulfil them, I have already said many times that signing for Barcelona was a dream, and I will do everything possible to stay here for many years.”
Though over a year has passed since Raphinha made the aforementioned comments, he still has three years left on his contract. However, with the Catalan giants eager to raise funds, the Brazil international could be one of the players on the way out this summer.
