Barcelona star Raphinha to discuss exit after World Cup | OneFootball

Barcelona star Raphinha is reportedly willing to hear out an offer to leave the club this summer, and will do so after the World Cup. The 29-year-old has without fail been linked with an exit from Barcelona every summer since arriving, despite repeatedly declaring that he is committed to the Catalan giants.

Raphinha has two years left on his Barcelona contract, and the Blaugrana have spent big on Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon, who many see as his successor in the role. Recently it was claimed that while Raphinha wants to stay at the club, he is keen for a wage rise to reflect his status at the club. This follows on from statements last week that would ‘give his best for Barcelona as long as my body allows‘.

Raphinha to hear out Saudi Arabia offer after World Cup

Despite those statements, reports in Brazil say that he has not completely closed the door on a move to Saudi Arabia this summer. It is said that Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr are willing to quadruple his wages at Barcelona, and now GE report that he will listen to their offer after the World Cup, as quoted by MD. That could mean an offer to Raphinha of around €170m over the duration of the contract, and they say that Raphinha was aware of it before the World Cup began.

Saudi officials were seemingly told that his focus was on the World Cup, and that he would speak with them once his involvement was finished.

Should Barcelona consider Raphinha exit?

Certainly in accounting terms, accepting a large offer for Raphinha, given his age, makes sense. The signing of Gordon would suggest that Barcelona are already preparing for life without the Brazilian, but there is little doubt that as things stand, it would be a downgrade in terms of their offensive power, and hurt their chances of winning the Champions League. It may well be that Barcelona suspect Raphinha’s best seasons are behind him, but his importance to the side was made evident during his injury absences last season.