Will both of Raheem Sterling and Raphinha be joining Chelsea this summer or will it only be one?
Currently, the answer to this question is unknown but the situation with the former of the pair certainly looks a lot more promising than with Leeds' number 10. A certain Journalist has already gone on the record to announce this transfer as a 'done deal.' Although a little pre-mature, football.london understands that this deal could be announced imminently and that the only hold-up in making this transfer official is the fact that new owner Todd Boehly is trying to broker a double swoop from Man City which also includes Nathan Ake.
However, the Citizens' need to replace the outgoing Dutchmen has put the brakes slightly on this specific transfer negotiation between the two Premier League clubs. But in terms of the 27-year-old, it already feels 99% done. Meanwhile, having already verbally agreed with Leeds for a fee north of £55m, it's now a waiting game for Chelsea who needs the green light from Raphinha and his agent Deco before personal terms are discussed. Currently, the former midfielder is trying all he can to deliver his client his dream move to Camp Nou. He's shown this willingness by being ever-present in Laporta's office on both Wednesday and Thursday as Barca reportedly prepare to offer a huge counter-offer to the Blues which is more add-on heavy.
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Whether or. not the Catalan giants succeed in the second hijacking of this specific transfer after Boehly hijacked Edu's and Arsenal's patient approach remains to be seen but there are certainly options elsewhere if the Leeds number 10 refuses to stay in the Premier League.
Free-agent Ousmane Dembélé and other attacking options could come into the equation if the worse was to come to the worst in relation to Raphinha. Regardless of what is to unfold over the next few days and weeks, both Sterling and Raphinha are chilling and unwinding ahead of an early return to pre-season in preparations for this rather unusual 2022/23 campaign.
Both their agents are at work trying to help their respective clients claim their ideal moves in this transfer window but whilst contact between the player and agent would remain strong over these uncertain times, the pair won't be thinking much about their next destination with soaking up the sun a priority for two players who have had rather congested seasons in 2021/22 with Man City and Leeds United respectively.
City's number 7 was spotted reading a book with a stunning view ahead of him as he posted on his Instagram @sterling7 whilst his 25-year-old Premier League compatriots' latest Instagram post was him with his girlfriend on holiday in Doha, Qatar as posted on @raphinha.
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