Chelsea have highlighted Burnley forward Maxwel Cornet as a potential alternative to Raphinha, with the Leeds player's preferred destination being Barcelona. Cornet is one of a few alternative options the West London club have identified, with a move for Raphinha looking less likely each day.
The Brazilian is pushing for a move to Camp Nou; however, La Blaugrana's financial struggles has them clawing for funds to meet Leeds' lofty price tag for their star man. Chelsea already have a fee agreed with the Whites for Raphinha, but talks on personal terms have supposedly been put on hold, with the Leeds man holding out for his dream move.
As the battle for the 25-year-old’s signature rumbles on, new Chelsea owner Todd Boelhy is tracking other options in the event that Leeds midfielder moves elsewhere.
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The Athletic have reported that Burnley expect Cornet to depart, with his £17.5 million relegation release clause active, and that Chelsea are one of his many Premier League suitors. The attacker impressed at Turf Moor last season, scoring nine league goals, but injuries and AFCON led to Cornet struggling to find the same consistent form during the run-in as Burnley were relegated from the Premier League after an eight-year stay.
Despite heavy interest in Cornet, Burnley are not closed off to the idea of keeping the 25-year-old, who returned to training at the club’s training ground on Monday. Chelsea have also reportedly weighed up the potential of taking Barca’s Ousmane Dembele if Raphinha joins the Catalan giants from Leeds.
Leeds will be hoping to soon put this transfer saga behind them, having already lost Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City this week. With Raphinha’s departure seemingly a matter of when rather than if, they are currently chasing Feyenoord winger Luis Sinisterra, who is rated highly in the Netherlands after a 23-goal Eredevise campaign last term.
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