Raphinha is ready to shun more lucrative contract offers from elsewhere with a view to wait for a transfer to Barcelona. That’s in accordance with Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, who claim Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all expressed an interest within the Brazil international.
Raphinha made an instantaneous impact within the Premier League after signing for Leeds United in October 2020 in a £17million deal. The previous Rennes star has registered 17 goals and 11 assists for the Whites, but looks set to depart Elland Road this summer.
Barcelona have long been considered the favourites for a summer move for Raphinha, with recent reports suggesting a five-year deal has been agreed upon since February. Nonetheless, the Catalan giants’ financial woes has consistently forged doubt over whether a fee could be struck with Leeds on this window.
Raphinha has two years left on his contract, but a cut-price exit is not any longer on the cards after Jesse Marsch’s side avoided relegation on the ultimate day of the season. The winger might have been available for a reported £25m, but victory at Brentford last month guaranteed the Whites’ top-flight status.
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The report from Mundo Deportivo outlines that Chelsea have identified Raphinha as a possible alternative to Ousmane Dembele. The France international is out of contract on the Nou Camp, and reports suggest Thomas Tuchel is keen to sign the 25-year-old as a alternative for Romelu Lukaku.
Liverpool have also been linked with a move for the Leeds winger, despite the arrival of Darwin Nunez in a possible club-record deal. Sadio Mane is ready to affix Bayern Munich, and Jurgen Klopp is alleged to be mulling over a move for an additional attacker.
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Nonetheless, despite these Premier League approaches, the report claims Raphinha is holding out for a La Liga move this summer. He is ready to show down more lucrative contract offers in favour of a switch to Barcelona.
Raphinha is just not expected to sign a contract extension at Elland Road, and may very well be considered one of two significant departures this summer. Kalvin Phillips can also be attracting attention from elsewhere, with Manchester City said to be preparing a suggestion this summer.
The central midfielder has two years left on his contract, and has not outlined his intention to depart his boyhood club. Nonetheless, Phillips’ standout displays at Euro 2020 has led to talks of ‘Big Six’ move.
