Barcelona have revealed transfer fee of Raphinha to fund the deal of Lionel Messi back to Camp Nou

Barcelona have known their interest known to sell Raphinha in the summer in order to fund the transfer of Lionel Messi. 

If you recall that Raphinha was acquired by Barcelona from Leeds United in a £55 million deal in July. 

The Brazil international has been in excellent form this season, scoring nine goals and dishing out 10 assists in 42 games after initially finding it difficult to make an impression.

It's understood that Barcelona are keen on bringing Lionel Messi back to the Camp Nou, but this time in a free transfer. 

Messi's contract with Paris Saint-Germain ends this summer, making him a free agent and making the Spanish club's former star accessible to bring back to Camp Nou in negotiations.

La Liga, however, has stressed that in order for Barcelona to be able to sign new players this summer, the club must either significantly reduce its pay cost or collect around €200 million (£177.1 million) via player sales.

Ahead of the summer transfer window, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Newcastle United have maintained their interest in Raphinha. Some members of Barca's board are willing to trade the 26-year-old provided they obtain a sizable return on their original £55m investment last year.

Raphinha feels undervalued by Barca, and the team wants to sell him to make room for Messi's comeback.

After falling short of Chelsea in the battle to recruit Mykhailo Mudryk, rumors in Spain stated that Arsenal had unsuccessfully attempted to sign Raphinha for €70 million (£61.7 million).

Barcelona, however, rejected Arsenal's proposal, and Mikel Arteta's team later acquired Leandro Trossard from Brighton in a £27 million move.