Barcelona’s director of football is due to fly to England next week and meet Leeds United to try and manufacture a deal for Raphinha, according to reports. Catalan daily paper SPORT have said that Mateu Alemany will fly to the UK next week in order to try and secure the Brazilian’s services, with the club remaining stubborn on their financial terms.
Barcelona have been heavily linked with the 25-year-old for some time, but those in charge at Elland Road have dug their heels in with a demand of £60-70 million paid upfront, with no consideration for instalments. The Catalan club’s financial troubles have been well documented and it could be that they simply cannot afford that amount upfront, but Alemany will be hopeful an in-person meeting could soften Leeds’ stance.
Reports suggest that Barcelona consider something around £30-35 million a fairer price, but Leeds don’t look like budging from their valuation and there are no obvious player-plus-cash deals that can help the Spanish club.
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The Elland Road hierarchy have apparently become frustrated with Barcelona’s valuation and reluctance to meet their prices, and they are very much in the driving seat after securing Premier League safety and relinquishing the £25 million release clause.
Raphinha bagged 11 goals and picked up three assists in 35 league games, at times single-handedly winning games and picking up crucial points. His performances have garnered interest not just from Barcelona but also from Liverpool, who see the Brazilian as a potential replacement for the departing Sadio Mane.
Liverpool have both the money and the player - Takumi Minamino - to potentially make a deal with Leeds, but Alemany will hope that his journey to meet the Whites hierarchy face-to-face will smooth relations and put his side back in the race.
Raphinha opened up on his domestic future on media duty during his time with Brazil, stressing that consistent game time will be a deciding factor in the build up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later this year.
“Knowing that there are less than six months left for the Cup, you have to be active in the clubs,” Raphinha said, as reported by Globo. “That weighs on the decision, but I trust my potential.
“I have a contract with Leeds until 2024, my future is in the hands of Deco and Leeds, I have my mind on the national team, on the game and also on my vacation, we need a vacation.”
