Newcastle have reportedly held talks with Leeds officials over the opportunity of signing their winger Raphinha this summer. And the Magpies’ interest could complicate matters for Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, who’re also keen to land the Brazil international over the course of the summer transfer window.
Raphinha moved to Elland Road in 2020 for £20million after Leeds won promotion to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa. The Brazil star has taken English football by storm during the last two years as he’s wreaked havoc on opposition defences amid a string of stellar displays.
That has caught the eye of a few of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Barcelona and a complete host of Premier League sides. But after talks for Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby got here to a halt for Newcastle, the Magpies could make a move for Raphinha, in response to the Northern Echo – with talks being held with Leeds chiefs.
The report states that Newcastle are waiting to see how other negotiations with Raphinha progress before deciding whether to make a move for the previous Rennes winger. Having had 4 priorities before the window in a goalkeeper, centre-back, striker and a winger, two of those have been ticked off with the arrival of Nick Pope and the approaching acquisition of Sven Botman.
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That leaves club chiefs focused entirely on a bid for the attacking contingent, with Raphinha set to go away the Yorkshire club due to his excellent output for Jesse Marsch’s men. Dan Ashworth and his transfer team are refusing to pay the £45m quoted for Diaby, although Leeds value Raphinha at £65m which could make a deal hard to pursue.
And with Kalvin Phillips’ impending £45m move to Manchester City, Leeds now have money in abundance – which is much more of a bargaining tool than they’ve had to this point this summer. Newcastle would reportedly look to decide on a deal price around £40m, although that is sort of half of Leeds’ full valuation of the Porto Alegre-born hero.
Nonetheless, in the event that they increase their offer, it could make Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham sweat if one among their important transfer targets makes his way as much as Tyneside. Leverkusen chief Simon Rolfes stated the importance of keeping Diaby, a move which has forced Newcastle’s focus to show to Raphinha.
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