​FC Barcelona appears poised to hold one final discussion with Raphinha regarding his future, while Al-Hilal continues to be mentioned as a potential bidder for the Brazilian star, according to SPORT and transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, both of whom cited anonymous sources. For some time, the Brazilian winger has been closely associated with the Saudi Pro League giants, with prior reports suggesting he would wait until after the World Cup with Brazil to listen to any overtures or offers.
The chatter surrounding Raphinha comes as the Selecao endured a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Norway, a match highlighted by Erling Haaland’s brace, which left Brazil’s 2026 campaign in North America ending prematurely in the last-16 in New York just last Sunday. After returning home, Raphinha is taking a short period to unwind in his birthplace of Porto Alegre before reporting back for preseason training under manager Hansi Flick. Yet, once he heads back to Catalonia, his future is certain to become one of the most scrutinized topics in the local press.
Looking back a year, selling Raphinha seemed unthinkable. The forward had just delivered a Ballon d’Or-caliber season, finishing as the Champions League’s joint top scorer and the leading provider of goal contributions as Barça reached the semifinals of Europe’s premier club competition and earned a domestic treble. Fast forward to mid-2026, and signs of wear and tear are evident at age 29. He missed more than 20 games last season, with two of those absences coming during the UCL quarterfinals, which ended in a painful exit at the hands of domestic rivals Atletico Madrid.
This summer, Barça has acted decisively, closing deals for Anthony Gordon and closing in on Karim Adeyemi in recent days. Gordon, who joined from Newcastle United for around $80 million, and Adeyemi, who is expected to arrive for roughly $25 million plus up to $8 million in add-ons, hint at a broader strategy to reinforce the squad on the left flank. Both players primarily operate on the left wing, suggesting Barça is already laying groundwork for life after Raphinha.
There is a growing sense that there may be no better moment to cash in on the 11, rather than allowing another year to pass that could push him toward the expiration of his contract, which is set to run until June 30, 2028. The timing aligns with a period when the club seems intent on bolstering its options on the left and ensuring they are not left exposed should Raphinha decide to pursue a different path as his career evolves.