{"id":5842,"date":"2026-09-23T12:40:55","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T12:40:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5842"},"modified":"2026-09-23T12:40:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T12:40:55","slug":"chelsea-made-ambitious-request-for-barcelona-star-they-almost-signed-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5842","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea made ambitious request for Barcelona star they almost signed in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Chelsea spent north of \u00a3300m on new signings in the summer, but they wanted more. Lamine Camara was halfway through a medical before his move was denied, and a Barcelona star was also targeted.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Xabi Alonso\u2019s<\/a> squad has plenty of depth, and on the whole, Blues fans were delighted with the work done in the window. However, replacing Enzo Fernandez ended in failure and has left Chelsea<\/a> light in midfield.<\/p>\n

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Whether Chelsea will return for Camara<\/a> in January remains to be seen, with the relationship between the club and Monaco strained. Chelsea have signed Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile from Monaco before.<\/p>\n

But it appears Camara was not the only player Chelsea missed out on during the summer window. It appears Chelsea made a stunning move to sign one of Barcelona\u2019s best players, and they were not alone.<\/p>\n

Chelsea attempted to rectify 2023 failure with Raphinha move<\/h2>\n

According to a report from TeamTalk<\/a>, Chelsea are one of a handful of Premier League clubs to have been in talks to sign Raphinha<\/a> from Barcelona. Last season, Raphinha was a contender for the Ballon d\u2019Or.<\/p>\n

Barcelona obviously did not want to lose Raphinha, and any approaches that were made were met with disdain from the Nou Camp. Former Chelsea star Deco<\/a> is now sporting director at the Nou Camp.<\/p>\n

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Imagine Thiago Silva and Raphinha in a Chelsea shirt together \ud83d\udd25<\/h3>\n

It almost happened in 2022!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Raphinha<\/div>
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But back in 2023, Deco was Raphinha\u2019s agent and orchestrated his move to Barcelona. That is, despite Chelsea offering more money to Leeds for Raphinha<\/a>. But the Brazilian had his heart set on Barcelona.<\/p>\n

Tottenham pushed the hardest to sign Raphinha this year, while Arsenal, Liverpool and both Manchester clubs are also said to have asked the question at some point in 2026. But he has stayed at Barcelona.<\/p>\n

Raphinha\u2019s incredible numbers this season after position change<\/h2>\n

In the summer, Barcelona lost both Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. Hansi Flick\u2019s side needed a new striker, and Raphinha has since taken on the role, while wearing the captain\u2019s armband for Barca.<\/p>\n

This season, he has scored 14 goals in eight games, laying on three assists. Mind-boggling stats, that has seen Raphinha fail to score in one of seven La Liga matches, but he did lay on two assists in that game.<\/p>\n

Brazil might have struggled at the World Cup, but if Raphinha continues this stunning form between now and the end of the year, there is no doubt that the ex-Leeds man will be in contention for the Ballon d\u2019Or.<\/p>\n

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