Raphinha changes agent as Barcelona renewal enters final stretch | OneFootball

Raphinha’s contract renewal with Barcelona is close to reaching its conclusion, but an unexpected new development could influence the final details of the deal. The Brazilian forward, who in recent years had managed his career without an agent, is about to sign with a new representative.

According to information from SPORT, Raphinha will join forces with Ali Barat, owner of the agency Epic Sport and one of the agents with the strongest presence in the international market.

The move comes at a particularly important time: negotiations between Raphinha and Barcelona are practically wrapped up, with only the final details left to confirm his continuation.

Ali Barat takes charge of Raphinha

Over the last few years, Raphinha had received proposals from some of the biggest agents in world football, but he had decided to continue his career without an intermediary.

Among the representatives who tried to work with the Brazilian were Pini Zahavi, Jorge Mendes, and Giuliano Bertolucci, as well as Roc Nation, the agency that represents players such as Marc Bernal, Vinícius Júnior, and Endrick.

The Brazilian had turned down those proposals. Now, however, he has finally decided to entrust his professional future to Ali Barat.

The Iranian businessman, based in the United Arab Emirates, runs Epic Sport and has experience in high-level deals across different European markets.

The choice comes as a surprise because of the timing. Raphinha is in the middle of negotiating a renewal that could make him one of the highest-paid players in the Blaugrana squad.

A particular relationship with Deco

Raphinha’s situation also has a very particular background within Barcelona.

When the Brazilian arrived from Leeds United, his agent was Deco, who currently serves as the Blaugrana club’s sporting director.

When Deco left player representation to join Barça’s sporting structure, Raphinha continued his career without an agent officially representing him.

Now that situation is about to change, and Barat would take responsibility for one of Raphinha’s first major deals as his new representative: his renewal with Barcelona.

The deal with Barcelona points to 2030

Raphinha’s current contract expires in June 2028, but talks are progressing to extend it until June 30, 2030.

Deco had already confirmed to the club’s members that negotiations had taken a step forward, while the player himself publicly expressed his desire to stay at Camp Nou and even said he would like to retire as a Barcelona player.

The new contract would also come with a financial improvement in line with the prominent role the Brazilian has taken on within the team.

His performances have completely changed the picture.

Raphinha is enjoying the best moment of his career

The Brazilian is having a spectacular start to the season. He has scored 12 goals in the first seven LaLiga matchdays, after recording back-to-back hat-tricks against Levante and Sevilla.

He has added another two goals in the Champions League, for a total of 14 goals in eight official matches.

In addition, Hansi Flick has given him an even more important role by using him as the attacking reference point, even though Raphinha is not a natural center forward.

His goal output has put him at the top of the Pichichi race and made his renewal a priority for Barcelona.

Now, with the change of representative about to become official, the final details of the new contract will be left in Ali Barat’s hands, just as Raphinha’s future as a Blaugrana player seems closer than ever to being sealed.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.