Leeds United winger Raphinha is very close to signing for Arsenal per multiple reports.
The Gunners are keen to strengthen their attacking options this summer as manager Mikel Arteta looks to improve on last season's Premier League tally of just 61 goals. The manager is also keen to bring Brazilian international Gabriel Jesus to the Emirates Stadium.
According to Goal of Brazil, Arsenal are also very close to signing Jesus' compatriot Raphinha, who has been linked with a move to both Arsenal and Barcelona this season. However, according to their source, the 25-year-old does not want to wait for the Blaugrana to make a decision, and the player is hoping to join Arteta's side within the week.
Barcelona's continuous financial difficulties have proven to be a stumbling block in their pursuit of the former Lille star, something the Gunners may be able to exploit. According to the rumor, if nothing goes wrong, he will join Arsenal this summer. Barcelona ‘does not yet have the economic capacity’ to complete a deal for Raphinha with the club waiting on outgoings before they can commit to certain transfers
Raphinha has contributed 17 goals and 12 assists in the league since joining Leeds and his performances have turned the heads of some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Leeds set their asking price at £50m for Raphinha, a figure that Barcelona ‘was not willing to reach from the start’ and with no new offer from the La Liga giants, ‘both Leeds and Raphinha himself decided to go the other way’.
If Arsenal can seal the deal then it is likely to go down well in north London with former Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere recently revealing his enthusiasm over a potential transfer for Raphinha.
Gabriel Jesus is about to enter the final year of his contract, and Arsenal have reportedly made the 25-year-old their priority transfer target in this window. City are said to have named an asking price of £50 million for the forward, and the Gunners are believed to be confident of concluding a deal.
Gabriel Jesus remains Arsenal’s priority signing after tying up a deal for Fabio Vieira, with the Gunners and Manchester City now closing their valuation gap.
Despite links to the likes of Youri Tielemans and Lisandro Martinez in recent days, Fabrizio Romano reports Arsenal’s technical director Edu has Jesus as his main priority at the moment
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