Leeds United supporters have laughed off the most recent rumour that has claimed Barcelona are preparing a first bid worth €35m for Raphinha. The update was posted on Twitter by Portuguese journalist Pedro Almeida on Wednesday afternoon, a few hours after updates broke that the Spanish giants were preparing formal contact with the Whites.
The deal reported was structured as €30m up front with the other €5m to be added as bonuses, a deal which would still equate to less than £30m. If offered, that will surely fall well below the asking price for Raphinha at Elland Road which fans are hoping will be much nearer the £70m mark.
The full extent of Barcelona’s well-documented financial problems is unclear which is, in some ways, worrying the Leeds fans. They know that a move to Camp Nou is a long-term aspiration of the 25-year-old’s and they have seen relationships sour on a number of occasions between clubs and players they are unwilling to lose.
Read more: Raphinha to Barcelona transfer latest: La Liga side 'readying formal contact' with Leeds United
In the knowledge that Raphinha hopes to play at the top level of European football, there is likely to be a price tag that the Leeds hierarchy have placed on the Brazilian. But, as we know, that doesn’t always stop a player from growing impatient if the two clubs remain too far apart in their valuations.
Leeds supporters will be hoping that the relationship between the player and the club doesn’t sour as a result of any negotiations, but they are equally keen to see Barcelona pay a fair fee for one European football’s best wingers. Here is how they reacted to the news of €35m bid.
