Bids for Raphinha are still being awaited by Leeds United. Arsenal was touted as the winger’s new home by the end of the week in Brazil on Monday morning, but Barcelona are understood to remain in pole position.
With two years remaining on Raphinha’s contract, United’s stalled Premier League progress and an extraordinary rise with Brazil, the forward is expected to move this summer. Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have been credited with interest recently, but the Nou Camp giants have long been seen as the most likely victor.
Financial issues at the Catalan outfit have drawn the process out and denied them the ability to conclude this transfer quickly. Those delays have left the door open for the Premier League sides to swoop.
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Last weekend began with reports of personal calls from president Joan Laporta to reassure Raphinha, while this week began with talk of a foregone conclusion at Emirates Stadium. LeedsLive understands Barcelona remains the player’s and his agent’s preference, with no bid even submitted by technical director Edu at Arsenal as yet.
The Laporta reports underlined a growing anxiety in Spain about getting this transfer over the line, while the Arsenal speculation could conceivably be an attempt to hurry Barcelona up. With more than 10 weeks of the window to play out, there remains plenty of time for the transfer to happen, but Barcelona can neither control every aspect of this narrative nor which other clubs look to tempt Leeds.
Raphinha and Deco may have a preferred destination, but Leeds have an asking price which must be met. If Barcelona fail to cough up and other outfits do hit the magic mark, they will do business on their terms.
