Barcelona star Raphinha is tipped to move to Arsenal this summer - and he's told coach Mikel Arteta what he needs to hear.
Spanish outlet SPORT claims that Gunners sporting director Edu has made 'constant calls' to the player's agent, former Barca, Porto and Chelsea midfielder Deco.
It is reported that a fee of between 70 million euros and 80 million euros could be enough to strike a deal, but the Gunners will face competition from Chelsea and Newcastle.
Arsenal made an offer to sign Raphinha from Leeds last summer for £40m, but The Athletic claim the price is significantly lower than the selling club's valuation.
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This time around, it seems Arsenal want to test Barca's resolve - and the 26-year-old has proven to Arteta why he would be the perfect signing. Arteta will love Raphinha's comments
Speaking in January about the players Arsenal want to bring in, Arteta explained (quoted via The Independent):
"We don't need a body, we need players who make the team better.
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"I think individuals have a mentality that wants to win and we have to focus on that. We have to be very strict with what we did and the policy we had in place for the team to be successful."
At Barcelona, ??Raphinha won a third club title, with the previous two being won at former club Sporting Lisbon.
The Brazilian team won the Supercopa de Espana in January and this season's La Liga title is also imminent. Barca are 13 points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid with five games left and can win the title next Sunday. But it is Raphinha's comments after lifting the Super Cup that is sure to impress Arteta, Edu and the rest of the Arsenal hierarchy.
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I said:
"This is my first trophy with this huge club, this huge FC Barcelona jersey - it's amazing.
"And now we are aiming for more titles."
And it is the Brazilian's unrelentingly clear winning spirit in pursuit of more titles that could make him the ideal man for the Gunners.
Arteta's side look set to miss out on a title this season, with Manchester City currently four points above them in the Premier League table ahead of the Gunners' clash with Newcastle on Sunday.
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But they still had an incredible season, surpassing pre-season predictions of the battle for a top four spot. Adding a player like Raphinha, who has more title-winning experience thanks to his time at Barca, could give Arsenal the edge they need to push the boundaries next season - and compete in the Champions League.
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