Raphinha has reached a verbal agreement to leave Barca after the 2026 World Cup.
Diario Sport: Raphinha has a verbal agreement with Deco to be facilitated in moving to Saudi Arabia after the 2026 World Cup. His contract runs until June 2028, and Barca are considering selling him due to financial reasons.
According to Diario Sport, Raphinha and Sporting Director Deco have reached a verbal agreement: Barcelona will facilitate negotiations for the Brazilian winger to move to Saudi Arabia after the 2026 World Cup. Despite having a contract until June 2028, an early departure is being considered as both the player and the club are facing their own strategic considerations.
Oral agreement and timeline
The agreement mentioned by Diario Sport is not a binding contract, but it is enough to define Raphinha's future trajectory: negotiations will remain open after the 2026 World Cup. This gives Barcelona more control over personnel in the short term, while also maintaining their bargaining power when the market is active.
Why did Barca open the door?
Barcelona wants to keep Raphinha, but financial considerations make the choice pragmatic. According to sources, a contract extension would put significant pressure on the wage structure, while the club is still struggling with player registration. In that scenario, selling at peak value – rather than waiting for a shorter contract and a drop in price – is a viable option.
The pitch effect: value lies beyond just numbers.
Since joining from Leeds in 2022, Raphinha has developed rapidly, establishing himself as one of the world's leading wingers. In the 2024/25 season alone, he exploded with 34 goals and 26 assists, making a significant contribution to Barcelona's domestic treble. These statistics not only reflect his performance but also demonstrate his influence at crucial moments of the season.
Leverage from Saudi Arabia
Raphinha has long been on the radar of top Saudi Pro League clubs. According to Tribuna, offers from Saudi Arabia far surpass those from European teams. That financial scale is a variable that even European giants would find difficult to compete with, and it could be a factor that Raphinha is considering.
Barcelona's strategy: defend their goal, but have a Plan B ready.
Barcelona are reportedly set to "greenlight" negotiations after the 2026 World Cup – a timeframe that allows them to prepare alternative options. The Camp Nou club still has about six months to convince Raphinha to remain committed, but they are also not shying away from the possibility of selling him to rebalance their wage bill and maintain flexibility in the market.
The decision rests with Raphinha.
Raphinha will decide his future after Brazil's participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States. Whether he chooses to leave or stay, he has etched his name into Barcelona's challenging era, where his 2024/25 performance has become the biggest point of contention for any debate about his value and influence.
Potential impacts
- Market: If he leaves, Raphinha could become one of the most notable transfers after the 2026 World Cup, as the Saudi Pro League continues to attract star players.
- Barcelona's squad: The gap on the wing will force Barcelona to identify replacements early – financially viable, of immediate quality, and maintaining a balance of salaries and bonuses.
- Negotiation: A verbal agreement with Deco provided clarity on the timeline, thereby optimizing pricing and reducing the risk of delays.
At this point, this is just an agreement in principle – the foundation for Barcelona and Raphinha to reach a final decision after the 2026 World Cup. The rest depends on on-field performance and the figures at the negotiating table.
