'Work harder than me' - Raphinha sends defiant message to Marcus Rashford and Luis Diaz amid interest from Barcelona and insists he 'doesn't care' about transfer links

In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona winger Raphinha didn’t hold back when asked about the club’s interest in signing new attackers like Marcus Rashford and Luis Diaz. The 28-year-old, who’s just wrapped up a career-best season with 35 goals and 25 assists across all competitions, made it clear he is not worried about the competition.

The Brazilian winger played a key role in helping the team win both La Liga and the Copa del Rey, and with the kind of numbers he has put up, he is even being mentioned as a serious Ballon d’Or contender.

With finances still tight, Barca aren’t expected to make any blockbuster signings, but they are exploring smart options. According to reports, the club is looking into a possible loan move for Rashford, with an option to buy. The English winger still has two years left on his Manchester United deal, and while the club wants around £40 million for a permanent sale, a loan seems to be the more realistic path forward right now.

Rashford has reportedly described a move to Spain as a "dream" and has been on Barca’s radar since January. If things fall into place, he could finally make the switch this summer. That said, Liverpool’s Diaz is still being considered as a backup option in case the Rashford deal falls through.

When asked about potential competition from Rashford or Diaz, Raphinha told Mundo Deportivo: "I don’t care about anything. Given the importance I've had this season, I'm not going to say I'm an undisputed player, but whoever comes in will have to work harder than me. For me, the important thing is that whoever comes in works well and helps the team. The most important thing is to have as many high-quality, committed players as possible, and then it's normal for each one to find their own space."

After an incredible season with Barca, Raphinha has firmly established himself as one of the team’s most valuable players. The Brazilian winger recently committed his future to the club by signing a new contract until 2028. While Raphinha looks set to remain a cornerstone of the attack, Barcelona are now shifting focus to strengthening other areas of the squad. With Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s future uncertain, the club is actively searching for a goalkeeper, with Espanyol’s Joan Garcia emerging as a prime target.