Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Bailey Keogh

Bukayo Saka proves that Edu's £23m masterstroke plays a key role for Arsenal Raphinha transfer

Gabriel Magalhaes must repeat the agent role carried out by Bukayo Saka to help the Gunners in the summer transfer window. Arsenal are hot on the tail for Raphinha, and Martinelli could play a big role in helping Arsenal to secure his signature.

The two Brazilians played together for the Avai academy in their native country before the age of 18. They would then go on to team up for the senior national team during the 2021/2022 season.

Saka used being called for duty with England to persuade Aaron Ramsdale to join the club ahead of this season. Gabriel could repeat this trick to persuade Jesus to join the Gunners considering the two players have had a close connection since the start of their footballing careers.

READ MORE: Barcelona's proposed £43m transfer gives Mikel Arteta key leverage in Arsenal's Raphinha pursuit

Ramsdale joined Arsenal for a £30million fee in August, and In an interview with football magazine FourFourTwo, the goalkeeper was asked how Mikel Arteta sold the club to him ahead of his transfer last year.

"It wasn’t him, to be honest – it was Bukayo," he replied. "I heard rumours that Arsenal were interested in me when I was at the camp before the Euros, and Bukayo had mentioned that he and the boss had been talking about me."

Saka's crucial role in persuading Ramsdale to join the club should be repeated by Gabriel to persuade Raphinha to make the move to north London. Especially considering the desperate need for Arsenal to sign a winger.

It would have seemed bizarre for Arsenal to be linked with the Brazilian because the Gunners already have two left-footed wingers who are strongest on the right-hand side in Saka and Pepe. However, the Ivorian has seriously struggled for game time at the Emirates Stadium this season, which puts his future at the club in doubt.

According to GOAL of Brazil, Raphinha is on the verge of signing for Arsenal. The player doesn’t know anything about Barcelona’s interest yet. A deal could be closed this week, while transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims a potential transfer could cost £65million.

Despite Arsenal’s interest, it seems that the Leeds United winger would prefer a move to Barcelona as the player reportedly agreed to personal terms in February according to Romano. But a deal has stalled as Barcelona have been unable to meet the asking price that Leeds are demanding.

The signing of Raphinha would certainly enhance Edu's reputation in his ability to acquire a top winger for Arsenal. The Leeds United winger has been pivotal for the White's Premier League survival in recent years, and he could certainly play the same role for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, and Gabriel could play a major part in ensuring that this happens.

READ NEXT:

Find out what’s going on at the Emirates Stadium with all the latest news

Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest Gunners big stories and rumours

Full Arsenal Premier League fixture list for 2022/23

Xavi decision gives Arsenal major Raphinha transfer boost amid Chelsea talks with Barcelona star

Mikel Arteta's £65m transfer pursuit sends clear Bukayo Saka future hint amid Man City interest

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.