Tottenham ‘enter transfer race for Raphinha’ with Barcelona set to offload Chelsea and Arsenal target after 18 months

TOTTENHAM have entered the transfer tussle for Raphinha, according to reports.

The Brazilian forward only joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022.

Raphinha could be on his way back to the Premier League with TottenhamGetty

Chelsea and Arsenal both wanted to sign the attacker from Leeds before he followed his heart’s desire and headed to the Nou Camp.

He managed ten goals in his debut season to help Barcelona win LaLiga.

But now Mundo Deportivo state the Catalan giants are open to selling Raphinha for the right price.

Barca’s financial woes are well known and therefore the chance to recoup a significant portion of the £49million they shelled out for Raphinha last year is tempting.

And selling the 26-year-old would also help pave the way for Vitor Roque when the teenager arrives in Spain from Athletico Paranaense in 2024.

Raphinha has lost his place in the starting XI under Xavi this term with the likes of Joao Felix, Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres preferred to support Robert Lewandowski – not helped by an early red card and an injury this term.

It means he remains stuck on three LaLiga starts with two goals from his 11 appearances in total.

Tottenham, though, could have competition from their Premier League rivals for the ex-Elland Road hero, who managed 17 goals for the Yorkshire club across two seasons.

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That is because both Chelsea and Newcastle are rumoured interested parties ahead of the transfer window reopening in the New Year.

The news, though, did not go down well with Blues fans who are not convinced Raphinha is an improvement on their current options at Stamford Bridge.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is keen to bolster his attacking options.

The Australian lost Harry Kane in the summer while Brennan Johnson is still settling and trying to find his top form.

James Maddison, Richarlison, Manor Solomon, Ryan Sessegnon and Ivan Perisic have all been sidelined by injury.

There were suggestions Ivan Toney was a possible target but SunSport understands he is deciding between transfers to Arsenal or Chelsea or signing a new contract at Brentford.