Raphinha targeted for €200 million by Saudi Arabia after Vinicius renewed with Real Madrid
Saudi Arabia needs a new statement signing, and that’s why they are preparing a bag of millions to attract world stars. One of the most desired by the directors of Saudi clubs was Mohammed Salah (ruled out after renewing with Liverpool), in addition to Vinicius Jr. But in recent hours they have put a name on the table with which they are willing to disburse a fortune, that of Raphinha.
The FC Barcelona soccer player, in the best moment of his career, is a clear candidate for the Ballon d’Or, something that attracts Saudi wealth a lot. In this sense, Al-Hilal has launched strongly for the Brazilian. A delegation from the Arab club was in Barcelona recently to talk about this matter and other interesting players. And everything indicates that Al Hilal is going to invest a lot of money in the summer market if, finally, it does not manage to win the League title that could fall this course in the hands of Karim Benzema’s Al Ittihad.
According to information revealed by the Saudi media 365Scores, the club, which lost Neymar this winter market, has offered Raphael Dias Belloli a four-season contract, until 2029, with a monetary offer of 200 million dollars, distributed in 50 million for each of the four seasons. An exorbitant offer to tempt a soccer player who is at the zenith of his career and with the possibility of winning important titles at Barça.
Al-Hilal offers €100 million transfer fee
In addition, Al-Hilal would have tried to start conversations with FC Barcelona to offer a transfer fee of 100 million euros with the aim of taking over the services of the Barça captain. The Blaugrana sports management is fully aware of these movements and the intention is to retain the soccer player as it may be although it will be Raphinha himself who, in the end, makes the decision. Already last summer he was tempted by Arabia and the player explained that he was close to leaving but it was Hansi Flick who convinced him to stay another year at Barça. And, without a doubt, the Brazilian has been right because he has become a world star.
For now, Raphinha’s intention is clear, and he does not intend to move from Barcelona, where he can end up triumphing as a soccer player, and where he can win the main trophies that a soccer player can aspire to. Both he and his family environment have always been very reluctant to embark on such an adventure at his age although they do not rule it out for the future as long as there is a good offer in between.
Contract renewal talks stall
But here another element comes into play and that is the negotiation to renew and extend the contract with Barça. The Brazilian’s contract ends in 2027 and Barça has already expressed its intention to extend it, but the conversations are quite stalled. Raphinha signed with a salary that has become outdated and the Brazilian wants Barça to recognize his merits on the field of play.
He is one of the players who performs the most and of those who charges the least, something that has become absolutely outdated. Another thing is the duration of the contract. Barça would bet on a short extension and Raphinha would like it to be more long-term. The irruption of Arabia could here distort the conversations that had begun.
And it is that for Barça, Raphinha is a very, very important soccer player, but the club is also clear that this summer it must sell and do so in high quantities. And an offer of 100 million or more could greatly help the planning and solve the salary limit problems of the team. In any case, Barça is clear that everything it takes out in sales will go directly to reinforce the squad. And the priority idea is to maintain the block with Raphinha within the squad, although in these cases anything can happen.