Barcelona could be on the verge of moving a step closer to securing the signing of Raphinha from Leeds United. The Brazilian is one of Xavi’s top targets this summer at Camp Nou but the issue has been that the Spanish giants don’t have enough money to meet the valuation set by the Whites.
That could all be about to change though as Manchester United are reportedly close to agreeing a big-money deal with Barca for Frenkie de Jong. Sky Sports have claimed that the two clubs have come to ‘a broad agreement’ on a £56m fee plus performance-based add-ons.
The Dutchman expressed his desire to stay in Catalonia only a couple of weeks ago but now looks set to link up with his former manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. That will free up vital transfer funds for Barcelona who are hoping to make some signings of their own this summer.
READ MORE: Arsenal 'hope to bring down Leeds United's Raphinha price' as they plot Deco transfer talks
However, the potential departure of De Jong does not necessarily mean Raphinha is the next piece of the jigsaw. Barca are also trying to raise the funds to sign Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich with the German champions wanting more than £50m for his signature this summer.
That means that - for Raphinha and Lewandowski – well over £100m will be required, especially as Leeds continue to hold out for their £65m valuation. Even if Barcelona sell De Jong for £56m, it remains unclear whether they have enough in their transfer kitty to agree deals for both of their top targets.
That possibility is made even more unlikely by Leeds wanting any fee for Raphinha paid in full immediately, rather than accepting a deal paid in instalments over the next few years. If he is forced to part with last season’s star player, Jesse Marsch will want to have the money available instantly to replace him and hopefully improve his squad heading into his first full season as manager.
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