Arsenal plotting sensational Barcelona attacking double swoop

It’s no secret that Arsenal will be seeking attacking reinforcements in summer with the Gunners’ spending restricted in January due to being close to FFP limits.

Moves for the likes of Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen were put on ice with Mikel Arteta instead using Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah up top in recent weeks.

Ollie Watkins has also been linked with a move but he looks a better fit for other teams at the minute.

Arsenal are scoring heavily in the Premier League in 2024, rattling in 25 goals in their last six league games, but are still expected to strengthen in the summer.

It is not expected that the club will be in a position to strike for Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia given that the player's father has said he will likely stay in Serie A.

But plans are nonetheless being drawn up for the off-season and the financial predicament Barcelona find themselves in could provide a chance for the north London side to pounce.

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It’s been reported in the Spanish press that Arsenal are considering a double swoop for Barca attackers Raphinha and Ferran Torres.

Those two have decent Premier League experience owing to spells with Leeds United and Manchester City respectively.

Raphinha, 27, has scored 15 goals in 75 Barca games since completing a dream move from Elland Road to Barca but has been identified by Fichajes as one of the players who could make way as the Catalans seek to make headroom in the budget.

Likewise, Ferran, 24, has scored 25 goals in 103 games for Barca but has seen his game time restricted due to injuries.

Barcelona’s spiralling wage bill

He too could be made available for transfer by Barca sporting director Deco due to Barca’s fragile finances and the need to get the wage bill under control.

Raphinha was reported to be close to a move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2022 before ending up at Barca and is known as a favourite of Edu, Arsenal’s sporting director.

Primarily deployed on the right wing, he can also fill in through the middle as well as on the left. He would be a good addition to Arteta’s options and would provide a high-quality replacement for Bukayo Saka when the England man needs a rest.

Ferran can operate anywhere along the front line and could act as a stand-in for Gabriel Jesus or any new centre forward Arsenal may choose to buy.

Saka and Trossard are the only Arsenal players to have reached double figures for goals thus far this season with strikers Havertz, Jesus, Nketiah as well as Gabriel Martinelli being largely unconvincing in front of goal.

Barcelona paid big money for Raphinha and Torres

Raphinha joined from Leeds on a contract running to 2027 and commanded a €58 million transfer fee.

Similarly, Torres is contracted until 2027 and left City for a fee of €55m in January 2022.

Fichajes states that Raphinha’s other Premier League suitors include Tottenham, Liverpool, West Ham and Newcastle.

Another Barcelona player slated for a summer departure is Pedri. But the young Spain international's injury situation remains bleak. He was forced off yet again at the weekend in the club's 0-0 draw with Athletic Club. Barca had been hoping to offload the 21-year-old due to "extreme fears" over his fitness but it's unlikely that prospective suitors, including Arsenal, would take the risk given his recent injury record.

The Gunners could also look at more midfield options in summer with question marks over the long-term future of Thomas Partey. One player linked is Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz, whose potential arrival has won the approval of one Arsenal legend.