Saudi Arabia's massive proposal surrounding Raphinha (29, FC Barcelona) is once again shaking up the European stage. The protagonist is Al Hilal. To fill the void created by Neymar's departure last winter, they launched a transfer assault on Barcelona with '100% sincerity'.

Spain's 'Sport' reported on the 24th (Korean time) that "Saudi club Al Hilal made a luxurious proposal worth a total of $200 million for Raphinha's acquisition from Barcelona.

According to reports, Al Hilal proposed terms worth a total of $200 million over four years to Raphinha, with an annual salary of about $50 million, and they suggested a transfer fee of €100 million (about 162 billion won) to Barcelona.

Saudi Arabia has put forth a blueprint to elevate the league's brand through the acquisition of high-profile superstars. Since signing Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023, numerous stars have made transfers.

Initially, Mohamed Salah and Vinícius Júnior were mentioned as targets, but the analysis suggests that Raphinha's peak career status and mention as a Ballon d'Or candidate have piqued the interest of 'Saudi capital'.

In fact, Al Hilal recently sent a delegation to Barcelona to negotiate not only regarding Raphinha but also with other key resources, and they are adjusting the scale of financial investment within the transfer market. If they fail to stop the momentum of Al Ittihad, who is aiming for the La Liga title, the likelihood of entering a full-scale 'reinforcement war' is high.

Sport reported that "Raphinha hopes to remain at Barcelona for now. In the past, he received love calls from Saudi Arabia but chose to stay under the persuasion of coach Hansi Flick, which ultimately proved to be the right decision. Now, he has established himself as a clear starter within Barcelona and is regarded as a world-class forward."

Raphinha is reaching his peak in the 2024-2025 season. He is alternating between left winger and mezzala roles, demonstrating ace-level performance for the team. Based on his diligent work ethic, not typical of a Brazilian player, he has progressed in defensive involvement, off-the-ball movements, decision-making, and passing abilities.

Currently, Raphinha is receiving praise as the best winger at Barça since Lionel Messi and Neymar, showcasing 'Hibaudo-level' performances. This season, he has recorded 30 goals and 23 assists in 49 official matches, according to Transfermarkt.

However, the issue is 'money' and 'contracts'. The media noted that "Barcelona is currently facing financial pressure, and Raphinha is willing to extend his contract (expiring in 2027) and increase his salary. The club wants a short extension, while Raphinha seeks long-term guarantees, creating a gap in their positions. Meanwhile, Al Hilal's astonishing proposal is shaking up the negotiation table, according to local reports."

It was reported that the Premier League is also keeping an eye on Raphinha. Multiple clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea, have shown interest in Raphinha and reportedly have learned the specific details of the Saudi proposal through their intermediaries. However, as of now, Raphinha is not inclined to pursue a return to the Premier League or a transfer to Saudi Arabia.

The explanation indicates that Barcelona does not consider Raphinha as a 'Daesang' or priority for sale at all. However, limited finances and the salary cap issue mean that a substantial transfer fee could be tempting, according to the media's explanation.

Sport projected that "Barcelona's priority is to retain Raphinha under any circumstances, but this summer's transfer market is unpredictable."

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