It isn’t a secret that Barcelona are hard-pressed for cash at present, which effectively means that, despite their protestations, any and all of their players are available if the price is right.
The Catalan giants simply aren’t in the position to turn down any reasonable offers at present.
With that in mind, knowledge that the Saudi Pro League will be coming on strong again this summer is likely to fill Joan Laporta with dread.
The Barca president is doing a remarkable job of keeping the club competitive, but even he will understand that if the Saudi’s come with their pots of gold, their overtures will be very hard to turn down.
Al Hilal preparing to tempt Barcelona star Raphinha
One player that Al Hilal are apparently targeting with a monumental offer is former Leeds United winger, Raphinha.
The Brazilian hasn’t really set the world alight for the blaugranes, and whilst he’s made no comment about wanting to leave the club, they could try and ease him out of the exit door this summer.
Football Insider (h/t Fichajes) suggest that the Saudi Pro League outfit will offer an incredible £88m for the player, whilst also tripling his current £205,000 per week wages.
Given that Raphinha is a player that Barcelona could afford to let go, thanks to the impeccable form of young Lamine Yamal, a deal would make absolute sense for Laporta.
The question will be whether the player himself, not yet in his prime and a current Brazil international, would see a move to Saudi as one which wouldn’t hinder his aspirations on a club or international level.
At this point, there are just a small amount of players below 30 that have decided to move from Europe to the Emirates, and that could play a part in Raphinha’s thinking.
There’s nothing to say that within a year or two the Pro League won’t be thriving and become a genuine competitor to the major European leagues, however, they’re not there yet.
