Barcelona have begun looking into alternatives to Leeds United winger Raphinha according to reports in Spain and could sign Angel Di Maria as a short-term fix. The 34-year-old will be a free agent after running down his contract at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the month, and reportedly wants a one-year deal with a European club before ending his career in Argentina.
Barcelona have made Raphinha their priority target for the summer but their negotiations have stalled amid Leeds’ firm stance. The Whites have set a price tag of £60-70 million and will not accept an offer of instalments - demands which a financially-stricken Barcelona may struggle to meet.
And now Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo report that they may now target free agent Di Maria on a one-year contract, using the former Manchester United man as a stop-gap before coming back in for Raphinha next summer. “Barça will not make an extra effort to try to retain Dembélé and right now the option of Raphinha, which was the priority, has been complicated by Leeds' high financial claims.” They wrote.
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“That is why Di María maintains the hope of being able to dress as a Barça player, not even for a season. If confirmed, his signing would come five years after Barça already tried to hire him, then to form a tandem with his teammate Leo Messi.”
Juventus are also keen on securing the winger’s services, but it is thought the player would prefer a move to Spain and would choose Barcelona, should they come in for him. The Italian giants are also looking to offer a two-year deal, while Di Maria wants just one year before a move back home.
The move would make sense for Barcelona, who seem either unable or unwilling to match Leeds’ demands for Raphinha. If they can utilise a quality free agent for a season and hope the 25-year-old refuses a new deal, then the bargaining power at Elland Road will fade as their player edges closer to his 2024 contract ending.
The Spanish club’s director of football is set to fly to the UK this week to discuss the move with Leeds officials, and the reported sale of Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United for around £62 million could directly fund a deal. But Leeds’ stance looks to remain firm on their talisman, with a good deal or no deal the only options.
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