According to the Spanish outlet El Nacional, Manchester United have submitted an official offer worth £82.4 million (around €97 million) to sign Raphinha from Barcelona. This is no small figure, especially with that oddly specific £0.4 million extra — a very “precise” and somewhat… humorous valuation style often used by English clubs to show they’re serious.
However, looking at United’s current attacking options, many are left wondering: is there even any room to squeeze in another attacking star?
Manchester United’s Current Attack (as of late January 2026)
Bruno Fernandes (Attacking Midfielder / No. 10) – Still the heart of the team, contributing goals and assists consistently.
Marcus Rashford (Left Wing) – Despite fluctuating form, remains a key figure.
Alejandro Garnacho (Left/Right Wing) – A young talent in explosive form.
Amad Diallo (Right Wing) – Gaining more trust and playing time.
Joshua Zirkzee (Striker) – Gradually finding his rhythm.
Rasmus Højlund (Striker) – Though injury-prone, he’s still seen as a future star.
Antony (Right Wing) – Still at the club despite limited minutes.
Not to mention:
Jadon Sancho (out on loan but still a club asset)
Anthony Martial (contract expires summer 2026)
→ In total, United already have 7-8 high-quality or high-potential wingers and strikers. Adding Raphinha begs the question… who gets benched?
Why Would United Want Raphinha When Attack is Already “Crowded”?
He fits a specific need: Raphinha is a left-footed right winger — a profile United have genuinely lacked long-term stability in (Antony’s form has dipped, Amad is still young, Garnacho prefers the left).
Adds a different dimension: His ability to cut inside and shoot from distance or create chances adds tactical depth for squad rotation.
Managerial preference: Both Erik ten Hag and Rúben Amorim (depending on the timeline) have favored having multiple quality options in attack to enable rotation and maintain constant pressure.
Market context: While £82.4m sounds high, it’s not entirely outrageous for a winger in his prime (27 years old) with Champions League experience in today’s market.
The Harsh Reality
The current attack already has too many players needing minutes to develop or regain form.
Signing Raphinha would likely necessitate the sale of one of the existing names: Antony, Sancho (returning from loan), or even Garnacho (though that seems very unlikely).
United’s finances aren’t limitless (FFP remains a concern). Another mega-signing like Raphinha would make balancing the books even tougher.
Conclusion
The £82.4 million offer for Raphinha shows United are seriously looking to upgrade their attack. But looking at the current squad, many will ask: “What’s the point of adding another attacking star when the bench is already packed?”
This could be a negotiating tactic to pressure other deals, or preparation for potential summer departures. But if they actually go through with it, Old Trafford might just become an “airport lounge” for wingers!
What do you think?
Should United sign Raphinha for £82.4 million?
Or should they focus on improving the defense and stick with their current attacking options?