Arsenal are preparing to make a third offer for the Barcelona star, who has lit up La Liga this season.
The Gunners remain top of the Premier League table ahead of a major run at the end of the season with Manchester City holders trailing them.
Despite the need to focus, there have been rumors swirling about what Mikel Arteta could add to his squad this summer to help them maintain the top spot.
One player they are always linked with is Barcelona winger Raphinha, who has impressed in Spain this season as the Catalan side aim for the title.
According to Football Insider, the Gunners are considering an offer after trying to sign him last summer and in January. They were beaten by Barcelona last summer and the player turned down a mid-season transfer earlier this year, according to The Sun.
Barcelona need money
That hasn't stopped Arsenal, though, and one of the reasons could be that Barcelona are in dire need of money due to ongoing financial problems.
Although he has been hailed as the 'future of Barcelona' by manager Xavi, the decision could be taken away from him and for the right price the club could be persuaded to sell.
Regarding Barca's finances, La Liga chief executive Javier Tebas explained:
"We have strict economic controls. At the end of each transfer window, we tell all the La Liga clubs what they can spend. "In the case of Barcelona, ??they have to spend between 650 million euros and 450 million euros on wages and transfers - so that's a negative budget of 200 million euros."
While facing a battle off the pitch, they have certainly won on the pitch and are currently 12 points ahead of the La Liga leaders.
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The goal of connecting Liverpool
Reports suggest that Liverpool are set to beat Manchester City in the race to sign England and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.
Mount is out of contract in 2024, and talks on a new deal have stalled in recent months. It is reported that he will be sold this summer if he does not sign a new contract by then.
The Englishman has been a key player under several managers at Stamford Bridge but has been on a slump lately. He has been out of action for the past few weeks because of a pelvic injury. The Blues face Aston Villa on Saturday night and it is expected Mount will be involved. Speaking earlier this week, Chelsea boss Graham Potter hailed the midfielder as a 'top professional'.
Potter said: "It was difficult for him because he had a minor injury and the noise off the pitch. "He's a top professional, the way he treats me and the people around us is outstanding.
"Sometimes if things in your career aren't optimal, you have to do the right thing and he did."
Liverpool have been closely linked with Mount and it was announced last month that it was "very likely" he would leave Chelsea in the summer. Football Insider reports that Liverpool are 'close' to signing Mount.
City are also working on a deal to sign the man from Chelsea, but he is 'most likely to join the Merseysiders'. The report adds.
“The Blues tried to convince the midfielder to sign a new contract and offered him £180,000 a week.
"The club are refusing to make the latest offer, but Mount is keen to pay teammate Reece James' £250,000-a-week salary. "Liverpool are keen to bring Mount to Anfield as it is a huge midfield overhaul this summer and the player will be a huge fan of Reds manager Jurgen Klopp."
A separate report from Christian Falk has poured cold water on the possibility of Mount reuniting with Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.
"There are a lot of rumors about Kai Havertz and Mason Mount. I also read that there was a meeting last week between Declan Rice's father and Bayern - none of which is true," Falk wrote to Caught Offside.
"Tuchel spoke with the Bayern bosses last Tuesday and, yes, they talked about Havertz. However, the club owners and Tuchel have agreed that, at the moment, Havertz is simple. In the team, they have a lot of good players are able to play their role. They need to sell players to consider negotiating to buy Havertz.
He added:
"With Mason Mount, he is very interesting to Bayern Munich as his contract expires in 2024. In addition, Mount was not even discussed in the discussions between Tuchel and the decision makers. of Bavaria."
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