Barcelona will need to submit an improved offer to sign Raphinha, with Leeds United knocking back a €55 million bid for the Brazilian forward.
According to a report by Football Transfers, Barcelona’s initial offer worth €55 million has not done the trick to land them Raphinha in the summer transfer window. Leeds United could demand around €75 million to part with the 25-year-old Brazilian international ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Raphinha has been a revelation since joining Leeds United from Stade Rennais in October 2020. The player had enjoyed a solid debut season with the Whites but came into his own this term, leading Leeds’s charge to stave off relegation in a forgettable campaign for the West Yorkshire club.
The 25-year-old has 11 goals and three assists in 35 Premier League appearances, scoring on the final day of the season to guide Leeds to safety. But with the Peacocks retaining their Premier League status, Barcelona’s task of securing the services of the Brazilian international has become tougher.
Barcelona will likely delve into the market for a wide attacker in the summer transfer window, with Adama Traore not expected to rejoin the Blaugrana permanently once his loan deal expires. At the same time, Ousmane Dembele continues to face an uncertain future at Camp Nou amid growing links with Paris Saint-Germain.
This photo of Raphinha celebrating with the Leeds fans ? pic.twitter.com/5dArZeAXwQ
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) May 22, 2022
Raphinha is thus a viable target for Barcelona, with the Brazilian international prioritising joining the Catalan club in the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old has the qualities to fill Dembele’s void at Camp Nou if the Frenchman decides to call it quits at FC Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
But Barcelona will have a tall order in their pursuit of Raphinha, with Leeds United knocking back their €55 million bid. The Whites will likely demand around €75 million to part with their talisman now that their Premier League status is secured.
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But Barcelona might not be able to afford to pay €75 million unless they can offload some players and balance their books. Still, it will be interesting to see if Raphinha pushes to move to Barcelona, with personal terms unlikely to be a hindrance. For now, Leeds United have the advantage in this transfer saga.
