Reports in Spain suggest Newcastle will splash the cash to land Raphinha from Barcelona

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Newcastle United have long held an interest in former Leeds United winger Raphinha and are expected to meet Barcelona’s demands to bring him to Tyneside.

A report from Mundo Deportivo in Spain has suggested that Newcastle will ‘spare no expense’ when it comes to becoming a regular participant in the Champions League and “are ready to disburse the necessary capital to strengthen a squad with three or four additions.”

One player they believe Newcastle will try to sign this summer is Barcelona‘s Raphinha as the Magpies look to bring in a ‘powerful striker’.

The Magpies missed out on Raphinha in the summer

Raphinha has been on Newcastle’s radar for a while and it was believed that they tried to sign him from Leeds before he opted to make his dream move to Barcelona.

It wasn’t the best of starts to life in Spain for the Brazilian international but he’s now established himself in the first-team and it’s believed that Barca have no interest in letting him leave this summer, but their financial situation might force their hand.

The Mundo Deportivo article mentions that the Spanish club need to free up almost £180million from their wage budget and while they don’t see Raphinha as a priority sale they are aware there will be a market for him this summer.

No fee was mentioned in this article, but recent links to Raphinha have suggested that Barcelona will be looking to at least recoup their £55million outlay for the forward.

Newcastle have to try and sign Raphinha, he’s too good to miss out on

This is another transfer story that won’t go away which suggests there is likely an element of truth to it, which is great as Raphinha would be an amazing signing for Newcastle.

He almost single-handedly kept Leeds United in the Premier League last season attracting interest from many clubs along the way.

He’s managed six goals and four assists in La Liga this season operating on either side of the Barcelona attack. Which is not a bad return considering the shaky start he had to life in Spain.

Newcastle must exploit Barcelona’s financial situation and make this deal happen. Raphinha would add so much quality to our side instantly. Linking up with his compatriots Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, he could become another Brazilian legend on Tyneside.