Barcelona’s Raphinha doesn’t seem eager for a Premier League return despite recent interest from Manchester City. Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown, with his deep connections in the game, shared that the 27-year-old Brazilian is more inclined to stay in Spain, where he’s become a vital player for Barcelona.
Raphinha’s form this season has been impressive, scoring 12 goals and delivering 10 assists in 16 games, including a standout Champions League hat-trick against Bayern Munich. His performances have drawn attention across Europe, especially given Barcelona’s rumored financial struggles, which could force them to sell top players to balance their books.
Meanwhile, City is reportedly exploring options to bring in a high-profile winger to strengthen their attack alongside Jeremy Doku and Savinho. There’s even been speculation, originally shared by Brown, that Jack Grealish could be offloaded to make room for a new star.
However, Brown raised doubts about Raphinha’s openness to an Etihad move, despite City’s growing interest. Football Insider reported on November 2 that Raphinha turned down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, signaling his commitment to Barcelona.
Brown, who brings years of high-level recruitment experience from his time with United, elaborated: “I’ve heard City could look to sign a big-name winger. They feel that area could be strengthened for next summer. They already have Doku, Savinho, and Grealish, but it seems they’re eyeing a true game-changer.”
He continued, “There’s been some buzz about Raphinha being available if Barca’s financial woes persist. I admired him at Leeds; he always made an impact, but I felt he struggled with the physicality of English football. Since moving to Barcelona, he’s thrived and clearly become a key part of the squad.”
While City’s interest is understandable, Brown isn’t convinced that Raphinha would be eager to leave Spain or return to England, especially with his current form and position at Barcelona.
