Arsenal to 'step up' Raphinha chase next week after falling short with opening offer

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is planning a major squad overhaul this summer and is keen to add Leeds United star Raphinha to his ranks, despite seeing his opening bid for the player rejected

Posted Sunday, June 26, 2022 by Dailystar.co.uk

Raphinha will almost certainly be on the move this summer … but to where?

Arsenal are preparing to ramp up their pursuit of Leeds United forward Raphinha after seeing their opening offer knocked back.

Despite strong interest from Tottenham, Chelsea and Barcelona, the Gunners are currently leading the race for the 25-year-old with manager Mikel Arteta pushing hard for his signature following positive talks with the player's agent.

They lodged a bid for the Brazilian earlier this week - which fell well short of Leeds' £65million valuation - with the club determined to add imagination and firepower to their frontline amid a major attacking reshuffle, according to reports.

Both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have left the club in the past six months while Arteta is also keen to rid himself of £72million flop Nicolas Pepe in order to free up some space - in the squad and on the wage bill - for some summer signings.

Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira is already in the bag while a £45million deal for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus looks all but secure, meaning the club can focus their attention on landing their remaining targets.

Other than Raphinha, Arsenal are eyeing moves for Leicester City star Youri Tielemans and Ajax's Lisandro Martinez, and if Arteta gets his hands on all them it could see their summer spending soar to over £200 million - which would be a new club record.

Raphinha netted 11 goals last season during an otherwise bleak campaign for Leeds which culminated in them narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day.

According to reports he's holding out for a move to Barcelona, but the La Liga giants aren't exactly swimming in disposable income right now, and with Tottenham and Chelsea both showing interest in other targets, Arsenal could have a free run.