FC Barcelona has initiated talks to renew Raphinha's contract, which currently expires in 2027. According to Jijantes, a media outlet led by Gerard Romero, Deco, the club's sporting director, has recently met with the Brazilian's agent to lay the groundwork for a possible contract extension.
The club is "delighted with the winger's performance and attitude" and wants to ensure his long-term continuity. The negotiations are still in an "initial phase", and both parties are expected to continue discussions in the coming weeks.
Raphinha: Vital in Barça
Raphinha has been a key piece in Barça's setup, providing imbalance and commitment both in attack and defense. His performance has been positively valued by the management and the coaching staff, which has motivated the club to seek an early renewal that reflects his importance to the team.
Although the player's current contract extends until 2027, Barça considers that a renewal at this time would be strategic to consolidate their project and avoid potential interest from other clubs in the future.
The meeting between Deco and Raphinha's agent marks the beginning of a process that the club hopes to successfully complete... thus reinforcing their commitment to players who represent the values and quality that FC Barcelona aims to project on the field.
Still No Agreement for Raphinha
The main obstacle in the negotiations lies in two key points: the duration and the salary. Laporta proposes extending the contract until 2029, but without offering a substantial economic improvement... Something that doesn't convince Raphinha, who also knows of the interest from major Premier League clubs and even Saudi Arabia.
The only thing both parties have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement on is setting a clause of 80 million: a relatively accessible figure for financially strong teams. This detail, far from being reassuring, fuels rumors about a possible departure of the Brazilian if the situation isn't solved soon.
Raphinha, meanwhile, has repeatedly expressed his desire to succeed at Barça, but not at any cost. He knows that his prominence in the team could be reduced if a reinforcement like Nico Williams or Luis Díaz, two stars on the Catalan club's agenda, finally arrives.