Arsenal & Newcastle-linked Raphinha makes big call on Barcelona future after ‘difficult’ start to life at Camp Nou

WHAT HAPPENED? The Brazil international left Leeds United for Camp Nou in the summer of 2022, with a £50 million ($64m) deal taking him to Catalunya. A retracing of steps to the Premier League has been speculated on after just one La Liga title-winning season in Spain, with Barca needing to generate funds from sales, but the 26-year-old is adamant that he will be honouring the five-year contract he signed when linking up with the Blaugrana.

WHAT THEY SAID: Raphinha has told Club Del Deportista when asked about his future: “I will continue at Barca next season and the one that comes, and the one that comes, I have many years of contract and I hope to fulfil those years and many more.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Raphinha admits to enduring a “difficult” debut campaign at Barca, but he is feeling more settled now and expects to take his game to greater heights in 2023-24. The tricky winger added: “Barcelona is a city that I love, Brazilians are very happy here. My first six months were difficult. It was a start to the season in which I scored few goals, few assists and did not have a direct role in the team. But then I began to adapt better, my team-mates helped me a lot.”

IN TWO PHOTOS:

WHAT NEXT? Raphinha took in 50 appearances for Barcelona last season across all competitions, registering 10 goals and 12 assists.

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