Raphinha does well at Wembley ‘audition’

March 29, 2024La Liga

It’s clear that Newcastle are going to have to invest in playing staff during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Though their injury crisis is above and beyond what would’ve been expected at the beginning of the season, it has still highlighted the lack of strength in depth that the Magpies have.

If Eddie Howe and his side do want to eventually get the monkey off the club’s back and bring home some long-awaited silverware, then having competition for places across the squad is an absolute must.

Newcastle weren’t looking at Raphinha during Wembley date

Using Man City as the template, it doesn’t seem to matter to Pep Guardiola if Erling Haaland or Kevin De Bruyne get injured because he can bring in Julian Alvarez to cover up front and move around his midfield.

Newcastle don’t have the luxury of being able to bring in players of equal standard to those who might get injured.

Ultimately, that is what has hampered them across the 2023/24 campaign, and focus has to be on deepening the squad rather than going for a big name or two.

Newcastle are unlikely to sign Raphinha from Barcelona

Raphinha has previously been linked with a move to the Magpies, and it does appear that the Brazilian may be surplus to requirements at Barcelona, however, as Chronicle Live report, Newcastle are unlikely to pursue the player despite his decent performance for his country at Wembley a week ago.

Newcastle’s Head of Recruitment, Steve Nickson, was in attendance at the famous old ground, but anyone thinking it was to run the rule over Raphinha will have been sorely mistaken.