Messi opens door for Newcastle to sign Barcelona star

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:37 CDT
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi's imminent move to Barcelona has improved Newcastle's chances of signing Barca's former Leeds winger Raphinha.

Messi looks to be closing on a return to Camp Nou, with his former employers increasingly public about their desire to see him back playing in his spiritual home as his contract with Paris Saint-Germain approaches its end.

But Barca are having to be creative about how they fund a deal to re-sign their former talisman having been told by La Liga that they need to reduce their debts by €200 million if they want to take part next season.

READ: Barcelona resort to desperate measures in Messi pursuit

A salary reduction throughout the squad has been floated, while Messi has been offered a significant percentage of the shirt sales he generates, but the quickest financial shot in the arm for Barca will be player sales, and Raphinha has become expendable.

Newcastle 'interested' in Raphinha

"Newcastle United have registered interest in signing Barcelona star Raphinha this summer," report Football Insider. "Newcastle have been alerted by Raphinha's sudden availability, and are prepared to table a bid for the 26-year-old this summer."

The Brazil international has begun to settle at Camp Nou since his €58m arrival from Leeds last summer, and is up to nine goals and 10 assists in all competitions, but as a left-footed right winger he would occupy much of the same space Messi would.

READ: Barcelona would 'only listen to offers of €80m' for Chelsea target

The Toon will face competition from Arsenal and Chelsea for Raphinha's signature. The Gunners want greater strength in depth in the wide attacking areas while the Blues even got as far as discussing terms with the player before he plumped for Barca last July.

Newcastle could have a couple of key advantages over the London clubs. At Arsenal, Raphinha wouldn't be a guaranteed starter with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli some of their strongest performers this season.

Eddie Howe's side are on course to be able to offer Raphinha Champions League football next season, something that looks well beyond Chelsea's reach. The Blues also have FFP to worry about having spent more than €600m on players since Todd Boehly became owner last May.