Leeds star Raphinha has emerged as a top target for Barcelona as they draw up their summer spending plans.
The Spanish giants want to overhaul their squad and Raphinha is their No 1 objective, especially if they can offload Ousmane Dembele. Barcelona feel they have a trump card in their bid to sign the Brazil star because they have close ties with his agent Deco. The Portuguese is still revered at the Nou Camp from his time as a Barcelona player and speaks to them regularly. Although Barcelona have not made official approach to Leeds, the Elland Road outfit are well aware of their interest.
They understand the appeal of Barcelona to any player, but are adamant they will not sell Raphinha on the cheap. Barcelona are prepared to offer around £33.5million or 40 million euros for Raphinha and believe they can lure him to the Nou Camp.
This sum does not come close to Leeds’ valuation if they did reluctantly decide to cash in on Raphinha and it is understood they would want nearly double that amount. Leeds believe they are in a strong bargaining position and Raphinha has two years left on the deal he signed when he joined for £17million from Rennes in October 2020.
Also the South America’s contract does not contain an escape clause in the Premier League. Leeds have offered Raphinha, 25, improved terms to reflect his status as one of the club’s biggest stars and director of football Victor Orta has had a number of meetings with Deco.
They want to offer him a substantial pay rise to make him one of their best-paid players. Deco is understood to want an escape clause in any new deal and the two sides are at variance over this figure.
These negotiations are at a standstill and Leeds do not expect any movement until they secure their Premier League status for next season. Leeds have also received inquires about Raphinha from a number of top sides and West Ham claim they made an offer in January, while Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester City have shown interest previously.
Leeds are relaxed about Raphinha’s situation because the Samba star is settled at Elland Road and is not agitating for a move this summer. He has spent the international break working at Thorp Arch after recovering from the illness which sidelined him for the Wolves win.
Raphinha also gets on well with new Leeds boss Jesse Marsch and the American has already made clear his desire to hang on to him for as long as possible. Marsch knows Raphinha is key to Leeds’ aim of establishing themselves in the top 10 of the Premier League and launching a European push.
When asked about the importance of keeping Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips, Marsch said: “I haven’t spend any time with anyone talking about their long-term future, only about living in the moment and what’s important for every day. Those conversations can be had down the road once we can establish a few more things. Those conversations are more for the club, but I can always help and, of course, I would love to keep guys like Kalvin and Patrick Bamford and Raphinha, I would love to keep those guys here as long as possible.”
