Al-Hilal drop pursuit of Barcelona attacking star after signing Summerville | OneFootball

Raphinha’s future at FC Barcelona appears increasingly clear, with Al-Hilal ending their pursuit of the Brazilian after moving for another left winger.

The Saudi club had been heavily linked with Raphinha throughout the summer and were understood to be prepared to make a major financial effort to tempt both the player and Barcelona.

According to SPORT, however, Al-Hilal have now changed direction and completed a deal for Crysencio Summerville, effectively closing the door on a move for the Barca forward.

The key factor throughout the saga was the player’s position.

Raphinha never showed any desire to leave Barcelona and has remained committed to Hansi Flick’s project. Even with the prospect of a huge contract in Saudi Arabia, the Brazilian’s preference was to continue competing at the highest level in Europe.

That stance has now been rewarded with greater clarity.

Al-Hilal’s move for Summerville, worth £55 million as a fixed fee plus another £10 million in variables, fills the attacking role they had been looking to strengthen with Raphinha.

For Barca, that removes the main source of uncertainty surrounding one of the squad’s senior attackers.

Barcelona can now plan with Raphinha

Raphinha remains under contract until 2028 and is still highly valued inside the dressing room.

Barcelona have strengthened the wide positions with Anthony Gordon and the arrivals of Karim Adeyemi and Jesse Bisiwu, but that does not mean Raphinha has become expendable.

At his best, he brings intensity, pressing, end product and experience that the younger attackers do not yet consistently provide.

The club would obviously have had to consider an extraordinary offer, especially given the financial realities of the market, but there was never any reason to force a sale against the player’s wishes.

With Al-Hilal now turning elsewhere, the picture looks much simpler.

Raphinha can return from his holiday focused on pre-season, while Flick can plan with another proven attacking option in a squad that is becoming increasingly competitive.