The Raphinha transfer saga rumbles on as a host of clubs battle it out for the Leeds United man. Barcelona were thought to be the front-runners at the start of the summer, but Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have all entered the race.
Arsenal are the only club to have made a bid so far, but if reports are to be believed Chelsea are stepping up their chase of the Brazilian. As per a Football London report, Leeds’ £65m asking price could be a little too steep for the three Premier League clubs, with player swaps a possibility.
Here, Leeds Live look at five Chelsea players that the Whites might look to take from Stamford Bridge as part of any deal for Raphinha.
Read more: Raphinha and Leeds United should feel exasperated by Barcelona's latest ploy
Ross Barkley
The midfielder has attracted plenty of interest of late, but he hasn’t been able to finalise a move away from Stamford Bridge. As such, the Blues could look to use him as a makeweight in any deal they do this summer.
Barkley made just six Premier League appearances last term with his one goal coming on the final day of the season at Watford. He has 33 England caps to his name and while a spot on the plane to Qatar looks beyond him at this stage, Barkley will be desperate to get his career back on track and work his way into Gareth Southgate’s thoughts once more.
He could do that with regular game time at Leeds, who may find themselves looking for a centre-midfielder should Kalvin Phillips leave.
Emerson
The Italy international is facing an uncertain future in West London after spending the last year on loan with Ligue 1 side Lyon, where he impressed, making 35 appearances in all competitions and nailing down the left-back spot. Chelsea have enough options at left-back with Ben Chilwell and Marcos Alonso and it seems Emerson may struggle for game time once more should he stay at the club.
Leeds aren’t known to be looking for a left-back following the signing of Junior Firpo last year, despite the former Barcelona man’s struggles to impress. However, if Emerson were to be offered in a deal for Raphinha, it may pique their interest.
Armando Broja
After impressing on loan at Southampton last season, Broja is a player in high demand with West Ham United and Newcastle United amongst those rumoured to be keen. Reports suggest West Ham have been preparing a £30m bid for the striker, but Thomas Tuchel will be keen to get a look at him during pre-season before making a decision on his future.
He’s still only 20, but he has plenty of first-team experience with regular game time coming at Southampton and Vitesse. The Whites are looking for a striker and he would certainly fit the bill if he were to be made available.
Hakim Ziyech
Ziyech has already been linked with a move to Elland Road this summer and if he were to be part of a swap deal, he would be considered a like-for-like replacement for Raphinha. It’s fair to say Ziyech has found it hard to find traction at Chelsea since making the move from Ajax two summers ago.
He hasn’t struggled for game time making 44 appearances for the club in all competitions last season, including appearances in the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup. However, he only made 14 Premier League starts, scoring four goals along the way.
As such, it would seem Chelsea are willing to let him go as part of a deal for the Brazilian.
Conor Gallagher
This one seems unlikely given Gallagher’s progress at Crystal Palace this season, but Leeds were keen on the midfielder last year and they know all about the 22-year-old’s talents. His value will have sky-rocketed since last summer, but it remains to be seen whether he has a future at Chelsea.
Gallagher made 34 appearances for Palace last year, scoring eight goals and earning a spot in the England squad. Regular game time will be his motivation now ahead of November’s World Cup in Qatar and a move to Leeds would suit in that respect. However, if he is to be on the move this summer, he’ll have plenty of interest, with Aston Villa and Everton already linked.
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