The Newcastle board has been after several of the figures of FC Barcelona for a long time. One of the failed targets of those from St. James Park was Ferran Torres, for whom the 'magpies' were willing to pay around 20 million euros last summer.
The club also wanted to incorporate Andreas Christensen at the time and, this year, points to Raphinha as a possible 'bomb' of the summer. The Brazilian completed the best season of his career after the arrival of Hansi Flick to the azulgrana bench, being the most productive striker of the Catalan offensive trident.
In 24/25, Rafa produced 57 goals (34G/23A), more than any other player in Europe. Only Mohamed Salah was able to match the amount of goals and assists of the '11' culé, whose market value already reaches 90 'kilos' in Transfermarkt.
Newcastle's exchange to 'break' the market: Raphinha for Isak
In that sense, Newcastle would be willing to offer Barça a very interesting exchange to sign the Porto Alegre native. The South American striker has a contract until 2027 and a termination clause of 1,000 million. For the azulgrana team, he is a untouchable player, although an offer higher than 100 'kilos' would make the board doubt about his continuity.
Well, the 'magpies' would be willing to reach that figure by offering their main figure and scorer, Alexander Isak, as part of the payment. The Swedish striker is currently valued at €120M and the English team has set his departure at 130 'kilos'.
Therefore, in St. James Park they consider that the exchange would be satisfactory for all parties, considering the needs of each team and the characteristics of both players. Raphinha is more versatile, as he can play as a winger on both sides and as an attacking midfielder.
Isak, on the other hand, is a classic '9', beyond his mobility to enter and leave the area frequently. Last season, the Solna native scored 27 goals and 6 assists in 42 games, being a key figure for the team to win the League Cup, their first official title in 70 years.
Barça needs another '9' and Newcastle offers Alexander Isak, but...
In addition, Newcastle would seek to take advantage of Barcelona's desire to sign a '9' to replace Robert Lewandowski. The Pole has one more year of contract, but he will turn 37 in August and aims to play his last campaign in Catalonia.
However, the culés do not contemplate the signing of another center forward this year. First because of the presence of 'Lewy' and the high cost of his card (he will invoice 26 'kilos' gross in 25/26) and, second, because of the coaching staff's confidence in Ferran Torres. The 'Shark' responded with goals when he had to replace Robert last season and will continue to occupy that role next year.
Similarly, Alexander Isak's emoluments (around 10 million net per year) are impossible to assume for Barça's budget while Lewandowski is in the squad. Raphinha, on the other hand, receives just over 6 million net per season.
The financial factor, together with the Brazilian's express desire to stay many more years in Barcelona, rule out the viability of this exchange, at least for the 2025 summer market. Next year, the situation will be different, with the board open to signing another '9'. Names like Erling Haaland and Julián Álvarez are, for now, the alternatives best valued by the club.
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