Since Hansi Flick's Arrival on Barça's Bench, Raphinha Has Experienced a Spectacular Transformation. The Brazilian winger, previously criticized for his inconsistency, has reached an absolute level of excellence and is having a season worthy of becoming the Ballon d'Or.
The numbers speak for themselves: in March, the Brazilian has already scored 25 goals across all competitions. His ability to appear at the right moment, his precision in shooting, and his tireless defensive work have turned Raphinha into the team's great star. With his speed and determination, Raphinha has become the team's offensive reference, something unthinkable just a year ago.
Barça Seeks Competition for Him
Despite Raphinha's impressive performance, Barça's sports management still considers it essential to strengthen the left-wing position. Deco believes the team needs more depth and competition on the wings, especially because the options in the squad are limited. Currently, only Lamine Yamal, Ferran, and Raphinha himself can naturally occupy the flanks, leaving the team with few alternatives in case of injuries.
Moreover, Barça seeks to continue competing with Europe's greats, and for that, they need more offensive weapons. Although Raphinha is in outstanding form, sports planning can't depend on a single player. In this regard, Deco has already internally communicated that signing a winger is a priority for the next summer market.
Rafael Leão and Luis Díaz: Impossible Dreams
The two names that most excite the Barça environment are Rafael Leão and Luis Díaz. Both players have proven to be elite wingers and would fit perfectly into Barça's playing style. However, their signing won't be easy: Milan and Liverpool, their respective clubs, are not willing to let them go for less than 100M euros.
Rafael Leão is a game-changing footballer, with impressive physical power and an ability to break defenses that few players have in Europe. Meanwhile, Luis Díaz has already demonstrated his talent in the Premier League and his ability to score important goals. His intensity, dribbling, and defensive sacrifice are aspects that would fit perfectly into Hansi Flick's philosophy.
The Winger Barça Has Set Their Eyes On
Faced with the difficulties of signing Leão or Díaz, Barça is also exploring more accessible alternatives. According to 'El Nacional', one of the most mentioned names is Ademola Lookman, a Nigerian winger from Atalanta. His departure this summer seems almost certain, as the player is unhappy with Gasperini and is looking for a new challenge in his career.
Lookman is having one of the best seasons of his career, with 17 goals to date. His ability to play on both wings, his speed, and his dribbling ability make him a very interesting option for Barça. Moreover, his price would be significantly lower than that of Leão or Díaz, as his transfer could be closed around 60M.