Arsenal ‘closing in’ on move for Premier League star after Barcelona interests cools

Arsenal look set to land Leeds United star Raphinha in the coming weeks after Barcelona’s interest in the Brazilian cooled, as per reports.

According to Spanish outlet Goal, the Gunners are set to beat the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona to the 25-year-old after presenting the most lucrative offer to Leeds.

Raphinha was crucial to United securing their top flight status last term, scoring 11 goals in 35 games including a penalty in the Whites’ final day victory over Brentford, a result that secured their survival.

The report claims that a deal could even be confirmed as early as next week, which would make the player Arsenal’s fourth summer signing after the acquisitions of Marquinhos, Matt Turner and Fabio Vieira.

Raphinha played a crucial role as Leeds secured Premier League status for another season

Raphinha had been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona over the past few months, and the Catalan giants were believed to be the player’s preferred destination, however a move is yet to materialise and the La Liga side’s interest is reported to have since cooled.

This is as a result of the £55 million price tag that Leeds have placed on the attacker – a fee that Barcelona cannot afford without first selling at least two players.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is keen to add attacking reinforcements to his squad after the departures of both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette over the past six months, and Raphinha’s versatility makes him an enticing option.