'From What I've Heard...' Insider drops Raphinha to Man City verdict

Barcelona star Raphinha is not thought to be keen on a return to the Premier League amid interest from Man City in recent weeks.

This is according to former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 27-year-old would prefer to stay in Spain after establishing himself as a crucial player.

Raphinha has scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in 16 games so far this season, including a Champions League hattrick against Bayern Munich.

This has attracted interest from clubs around Europe amid suggestions that Barcelona could be forced to sell key players to help balance their books.

Meanwhile, City are keen to bring in a “big-name winger” to help bolster their squad in attack alongside Jeremy Doku and Savinho.

This comes after Brown previously told Football Insider that Jack Grealish could be moved on in an attempt to make space and free up wages for a new star man.

However, there are doubts about whether the winger would be open to a move to the Etihad despite growing interest from the club.

Raphinha to stay at Barcelona amid Man City speculation

Football Insider revealed on 2 November that Raphinha had rejected “big-money” offers from Saudi Arabia in favour of remaining at Barcelona.

Now, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after spending over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, echoed those claims that the Brazilian would likely prefer to stay in Spain despite City’s interest.

“I’ve heard City could look to sign a big-name winger,” he told Football Insider.

“They feel the squad could be strengthened in that position – that would be for next summer.

“They’ve got Doku, Savinho, Jack Grealish and people like that – but there have been suggestions they want to add a real game-changer to their squad.

“There’s been some talk that Raphinha could be available if Barcelona are still struggling financially.

“I was a big fan of his when he was at Leeds, every time I saw him play he made a difference.

“But I was concerned that he didn’t seem to like the physicality of English football.

“Now he’s gone to Barcelona and he’s been fantastic for them, playing with some top players.

“So yes, I’m sure City would be interested, but I’m not convinced that he would be looking to move away from Barcelona or back to England from what I’ve heard.

“Especially given the form he’s put together out there, he looks like he’s become a key part of that team.”

In other news, Kevin de Bruyne set for “big-money move” away from Man City.

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