It was believed the Blaugrana would demand a fee of around £50million if the former Leeds talisman was to leave the Camp Nou this summer. However, Sport have reported the Barca board have decided to accept almost a 20% discount in a bid to offload the Brazilian in the coming weeks.
The 27-year-old winger - who has had 45 direct goal involvements (20 goals, 25 assists) in 87 outings for Barca - will instead be allowed to leave if his new €50m (£42m) valuation is met. That's as little as half the kind of fee that was attached to the player at the start of the summer, much to the joy of Arsenal director Edu.
And he could see his dream number open up just in time for his arrival amid expectations Emile Smith Rowe will leave the Emirates Stadium this summer. The academy product has been heavily linked with a move to Fulham in recent weeks, and it's understood the two London parties are inches from agreeing terms.
The Guardian reported the Cottagers have all but signed off on a deal to buy Smith Rowe for £35m after previously having a £30m offer for the player rejected. That purchase would surpass the west Londoners' current record buy when Jean Michael Seri arrived for £27m in the summer of 2018.
Smith Rowe, 23, currently holds the No.10 jersey at the Emirates Stadium but could relinquish it in the coming days. Raphinha previously donned the digit during his two successful seasons at Leeds prior to completing a £50m move to Barcelona in 2022.
He took over the No.11 shirt in Catalonia, but it seems highly unlikely he'll be taking that off Gabriel Martinelli if he does move to England's capital. The 27-cap Brazil international has previously favoured the No.18, which currently belongs to Takehiro Tomiyasu at Arsenal, though he may be able to negotiate with the Japan defender.
It seems Barcelona manager Xavi and sporting director Deco have deemed Raphinha surplus to requirements this summer. That should perhaps come as no surprise given Lamine Yamal's emergence as a star on the right wing, Raphinha's favoured position.
He may find the competition just as difficult at the Emirates Stadium considering club favourite Bukayo Saka occupies that role under Mikel Arteta. However, the left flank is more negotiable after Leandro Trossard and Martinelli rotated that role last season.
Barcelona star Raphinha will be available this summer for just £42million
Raphinha found success on the left last term when he scored three goals and recorded two assists across three games against PSG and Napoli in the latter stages of the Champions League. While Saka may be considered the Gunners' main man in Raphinha's favoured position, it may aid both players to have some healthy competition in the right wing role.
Should Smith Rowe leave for Craven Cottage, his sale would pay for Raphinha's reduced fee almost in its entirety. And it appears Barca will be willing in their efforts to unload the player in what could be a straightforward equation for all parties.
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