Arsenal sporting director Edu in 'constant contact' over signing of Barcelona star Raphinha this summer

Arsenal want to sign former Leeds star Raphinha from Barcelona this summer, according to reports, with sporting director Edu said to have been making 'constant calls' to the player's representatives.

The Gunners have a long-standing interest in the Brazilian winger, having tried to sign him last summer when he was still at Elland Road.

The Athletic reported in June that the club submitted a bid to Leeds to sign the 26-year-old, but that it was rejected due to falling too far below the Whites' valuation of their player.

Despite interest from both the Gunners and Chelsea, however, Raphinha opted to sign for Barcelona.

Edu told Sky Sports News (as per Fabrizio Romano) that he had been told throughout the transfer process that the Brazilian only wanted to move to Camp Nou, rather than sign up for Mikel Arteta's project at Arsenal.

However, according to reports from Spain, the Gunners are back in for the winger and hope to be able to convince him to move to north London this time around.

Edu in 'constant contact' with key Arsenal target

Spanish outlet SPORT claim that Raphinha and his agent, former Barca star Deco, has three offers on the table, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle all interested in signing him this summer.

Journalist Gerard Romero reported earlier this month that Eddie Howe's side had launched an €80 million bid to sign the winger - a higher amount than the €48 million Barca reportedly paid to Leeds last summer.

At such a big profit, and with the club's financial problems still present, it could be that the offer from Newcastle is too much for the Spanish giants to turn down.

But SPORT add that Arsenal are not giving up, claiming that Edu is making 'constant calls' to Deco as he looks to make a move happen.

It is reported that a fee of between €70-80 million would get such a move done. If Arsenal can secure the player's signature, they will hope to add Raphinha's name to a list of successful Brazilian stars at the club in recent years, such as Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Jesus.