Barcelona captain has a verbal pact with Deco over potential future move to Saudi Arabia | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have looked like a different team since the return of Raphinha after more than two months out injured.

The Brazilian international, one of the club captains, offers so much beyond his attacking contributions, with his energy, intensity, pressing from the front, and leadership.

As such, it is only natural that Hansi Flick and Barça value him very highly and tied him down to a new contract with the club until 2028 earlier this year.

Despite this, clubs from Saudi Arabia continue to retain an interest in Raphinha and are prepared to tempt him with lucrative contract offers.

A verbal pact with Deco

Now, according to Xavi Campos on Catalunya Radio (h/t SPORT), Raphinha has a pact with Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, on verbal conditions that would make a future departure easier if he decides to accept an offer from Saudi Arabia after the 2026 World Cup with Brazil.

Despite renewing until 2028, the 28-year-old winger agreed certain conditions with the Catalans’ director which would allow him to leave in the future if he decides to pursue a new challenge in the Middle East.

The lure of Saudi Arabia remains. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

It is a situation that somewhat resembles that of Inigo Martinez, whose intention was to stay at Barça this season but who accepted an irresistible offer from Al Nassr in the summer.

The journalist went on to state that Raphinha already had proposals from Saudi Arabia when he signed his renewal and that not one, but several clubs from the Middle Eastern nation are still pushing to sign him, with dizzying offers on the table.

Raphinha not considering an exit

Despite the lure of Saudi Arabia, Raphinha remains fully committed to Barcelona and has no intentions of leaving the club anytime soon.

As reported earlier this week, Raphinha does not work with an agent, and every agency that has tried to contact him has received the same message: he does not want anyone negotiating an exit.

The Brazilian winger has repeated publicly and privately that his intention is to continue at the club because his commitment to the team goes far beyond his contract.