---
title: "Arsenal: Gunners still interested in signing Raphinha"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-premier-league-raphinha-mudryk-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Arsenal News"
published: "2023-01-15T12:45:00Z"
modified: "2023-01-15T12:45:00Z"
---

# Arsenal: Gunners still interested in signing Raphinha

**[Arsenal](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-fc-news/) are interested in a move for Barcelona winger Raphinha after missing out on the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk, according to Italian journalist [Gianluigi Longari](https://twitter.com/Glongari/status/1614380893677801472?s=20&t=fUszqS1FrzrOWCSb0fp-Og).**

### The Lowdown: Arsenal suffer Mudryk transfer blow

On Saturday, [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12783393/mykhailo-mudryk-chelsea-agree-85m-transfer-deal-for-arsenal-target-and-shakhtar-donetsk-winger) reported that Chelsea had pipped the Gunners to a deal for Mudryk, despite [Mikel Arteta](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/mikel-arteta/)‘s side having been in talks with the 22-year-old as recently as Friday.

It was a clear blow for Arsenal, with the Ukrainian an attacker of huge promise who had accrued [18 goal contributions](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mykhaylo-mudryk/leistungsdaten/spieler/537860) in as many games this season and could cost Chelsea as much as [£88.5m](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12783393/mykhailo-mudryk-chelsea-agree-85m-transfer-deal-for-arsenal-target-and-shakhtar-donetsk-winger), and it means that the club may now turn their attention elsewhere.

The Gunners were [linked](https://twitter.com/jacobsben/status/1541152251317723136?s=21&t=-9LLwsT3xgJXZrXwmb-pEg) with a move for Raphinha last summer prior to him joining Barcelona, and it looks as though their interest in the 26-year-old hasn’t gone away.

### The Latest: Raphinha back on Arsenal’s radar

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Glongari/status/1614380893677801472?s=20&t=fUszqS1FrzrOWCSb0fp-Og), Longari claimed that Arsenal could now see the former Leeds United winger as a viable alternative to Mudryk.

Sharing a corresponding article from [Sport Italia](https://www.sportitalia.com/in-copertina/esclusiva-si-arsenal-dopo-la-beffa-mudryk-sondaggio-per-raphinha-5016) which stated that ‘exploratory contacts’ have been made but no offer yet forthcoming, the reporter tweeted:

> “Arsenal are still interested in Raphinha from Barcelona after Chelsea’s Mudryk deal.”

### The Verdict: Strong option for Arteta

Raphinha has struggled to impress consistently since joining Barcelona, managing only [seven](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/300447/Show/Raphinha) starts in [La Liga](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/la-liga-news/), scoring just twice, and not necessarily looking like a key part of Xavi’s future plans.

For that reason, a return to the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) could appeal to the 26-year-old, who [scored 17 goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/raphinha/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/411295/verein/399) and registered 12 assists during his time at Leeds, including a penalty in the [2-1 win](https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwimjJTsk8n8AhWPFMAKHZXoA-EQFnoECDsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2F61453546&usg=AOvVaw0PqNpq1uZYtekFJAK_u2M6) at Brentford which ultimately spared them from relegation last year.

Raphinha would add competition for places in attack at the Emirates Stadium, allowing Arteta to rotate more effectively. His wand-like left foot is always capable of wreaking havoc, having been hailed as a ‘[magician](https://www.fifa.com/news/daniel-james-wales-world-cup-qualifying-interview-gareth-bale-is-unbelievable#:~:text=Raphinha%3F%0D%0AHe%E2%80%99%20a-,magician,-.%20He%E2%80%99s%20always%20been)‘ by former Whites team-mate Dan James and [regularly scoring with his left](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/raphinha/alletore/spieler/411295).

\[freshpress-quiz id=“418867″\]