Raphinha ‘gives Barcelona 48 hours to agree a deal with Leeds’ until he begins negotiations with Chelsea as Spanish side ‘finally match £60m offer’, after the Brazil star asked to MISS pre-season Australia tour to secure move
- Barcelona have matched Chelsea’s offer for Leeds and Brazil winger Raphinha
- They may have to pay in installments due to financial struggles causing issues
- The player has given Barca and Leeds 48 hours to agree on a deal
- Chelsea have offered £60million and the 25-year-old could begin negotiations
The future of Leeds winger Raphinha is close to being sorted after Barcelona reportedly matched Chelsea’s offer for the Brazilian.
Chelsea have agreed a deal in the region of £60million with Leeds, but the player has been holding out for a move to Spain.
According to GOAL, Raphinha and his agent, Deco, have given Barca 48 hours to agree a deal with Leeds with the Catalan side likely needing to pay in installments, or they will open negotiations with Chelsea.
It is suggested that talks have now accelerated between Leeds and Barcelona.
Leeds’ Raphinha wants to join Barcelona but the clubs have struggled to agree on a deal
The 25-year-old has scored 17 goals in 67 games for Leeds since joining the club in 2020
Whilst Barcelona reportedly entered the summer with a debt of £508million, they bettered their situation by selling some television rights.
They are still experiencing problems, however, and cannot register new signings Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen until more money is raised.
The debt has resulted in Barca likely needing to pay Leeds in installments for Raphinha, with the initial fee lower than Chelsea’s offer.
Raphinha has agreed personal terms with Xavi’s side but Leeds are keen to do a deal with the London club.
Xavi’s Barcelona have been given 48 hours by the Brazilian to agree terms with Leeds
Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea could be set to enter personal discussions with the Leeds man
Raphinha has already asked to miss Leeds’ pre-season tour of Australia in order to secure a move away from Elland Road.
On the situation, Leeds manager Jesse Marsch said: ‘There’s urgency from his end, I think, to come up with a solution. We have to in the next couple of days see how things stand and see how we go.
‘It hasn’t been an easy time for him this summer.
‘Things have come and gone and there have been a lot of little discussions. Right now he’s our player.’
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