Arsenal have opened talks over a move to sign Raphinha and Barcelona have named their eye-watering price, while another alternative to Mykhaylo Mudryk has been offered to Mikel Arteta, per multiple reports.

The Gunners were beaten to the signature of Mudryk by London rivals Chelsea on Sunday. The Blues confirmed the Ukraine winger had officially joined the club mid-way through their 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

Mudryk has netted Shakhtar Donetsk €70m up front with another €30m earmarked for future add-ons. A whopping eight-and-a-half year deal has been penned.

Missing out on their primary target is unquestionably a bitter pill to swallow. However, Arsenal are not prepared to let that one instance define their entire transfer window.

Indeed, various outlets have all reported the Gunners have made contact with Barcelona. Their intention is now to sign former Leeds Utd favourite, Raphinha.

Arsenal bid for the Brazilian over the summer, as did Chelsea. However, Raphinha only had eyes for Barca and once they came calling a move to the Camp Nou quickly took shape.

However, his first six months in Spain have left a lot to be desired and there’s already genuine talk Barcelona could cash in for the right price.

Arsenal open talks, as Barcelona quote huge fee

The Evening Standard, Metro and 90min are among the cluster of publications to claim talks in one form or another have opened.

The Evening Standard state Gunners chief Edu has spoken with Raphinha’s agent Deco. 90min state dialogue between the two clubs is underway.

On the subject of cost, Spanish outlet Sport report Barcelona have slapped a hefty €100m (approx. £88m) price tag on the 26-year-old. They paid just £55m to sign the right winger six months ago on July 15.

The first thought upon learning of that price is obvious. If Arsenal’s weren’t willing to hit the €100m mark for Mudryk, why would they for Raphinha?

What’s more, it’s claimed Barca president Joan Laporta isn’t interested in selling Raphinha after just six months anyway.

As such, Arsenal face a sizeable task making a move for Raphinha work at the second time of asking. They’ll no doubt attempt to negotiate a lower price than what Barca are quoting so far, though the move looks laced with difficulty.

Arsenal ‘offered’ Prem livewire

Elsewhere, the Independent’s Miguel Delaney reported Arsenal have been offered a somewhat dubious plan B to Raphinha.

The journalist claimed Brighton’s Leandro Trossard has been offered to the Gunners, with the Tottenham target making headlines for all the wrong reasons of late.

The Belgium international, 28, is a fine player in his own right. Indeed, his hat-trick at Anfield earlier this season is proof of that.

However, he’s been axed from Roberto De Zerbi’s first-team squad at present after reportedly leaving a training session early without authorisation.

Trossard is understood to have travelled back to Belgium on his own accord. The attacker seemingly sees his future at a bigger club and is taking matters into his own hands.

Spurs continue to be linked with Lucas Moura due to depart at season’s end. A ‘big’ bid could be under construction as we speak.

Trossard is believed to favour any side who can satisfy his Champions League ambition. Arsenal will almost certainly be back in that competition for the first time since 2017 next season.

A move for the 28-year-old would provide Arsenal with a readymade and proven asset for their front line. However, his apparent disciplinary issues could disrupt a harmonious Arsenal dressing room.

READ MORE: Two different sources explain exactly what went wrong for ‘aggravated’ Arsenal in Mykhaylo Mudryk bid

The article Barcelona name their price after Arsenal move for Raphinha, as dubious plan B emerges with Tottenham target also ‘offered’ to Arteta appeared first on Teamtalk.com.