Newcastle have now fallen behind Aston Villa in race for £70m 'magician'

Aston Villa could be about to use their Champions League trump card to beat Newcastle United to a player they've been tracking for years.

Two years ago when Raphinha was looking to leave Leeds United, Newcastle threw their hat into the ring but were ultimately lost out as the Brazilian landed his dream move to Barcelona.

That dream quickly became more akin to a nightmare as the man Wales international and former Leeds teammate Daniel James labelled a 'magician' struggled to carve out a place in the Barca first team.

Newcastle looked to rescue him from his nightmare the following summer but Raphinha insisted on staying put and fighting for his place.

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Raphinha has never been settled at Barcelona

Spanish media could never seem to make their mind up on Raphinha. One week he was surplus to requirements and needed shipping out and the next he was the best thing since sliced bread.

That uncertainty translated into transfer stories whereby one week he was looking to leave and the next he was staying with Newcastle seemingly always interested should he make the decision to move on.

Indeed, this week has seen reports resurface suggesting that Raphinha has now decided a move would be best for his career, and naturally, Newcastle were once again touted as a potential destination.

Villa and Newcastle to go head-to-head for Raphinha

However, as much as Newcastle are in the market for a new right-winger and how Raphinha would be the perfect addition, reports are now coming out suggesting Aston Villa could be set to beat Newcastle to the punch.

Newcastle World have suggested that Villa could acquire Raphinha to replace another former Newcastle target, Moussa Diaby. That would then give Barca the funds to snap up Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams who everyone wants a piece of right now, especially given his £47m release clause.

What could scupper the deal for Raphinha, however, is Barcelona's £70million valuation of the 27-year-old. Neither Villa or Newcastle would be likely to want to spend that much on him.

We still hope Newcastle are among the many clubs likely to trigger Nico William's release clause. We don't believe we'll get him, but nothing ventured nothing gained.