Barcelona will need to raise their offer for priority target Raphinha, with Leeds United reportedly knocking back their €35 million bid.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona’s opening offer worth €35 million has been rejected. The Catalan giants will have to trigger the €75 million release clause in his Leeds United contract to snap up their priority target in the summer transfer window.
Raphinha has been one of the most eye-catching additions to the Premier League in recent years and has been a breath of fresh air with his all-round abilities in the final third. This season, the 25-year-old has been a rare bright spot in a difficult campaign for Leeds United, leading the charge for the Whites to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The Brazilian international has amassed nine goals and three assists in 27 Premier League outings thus far. But with Raphinha’s stock skyrocketing over the last 18 months, several high profile clubs across Europe have set their sights on him, with Barcelona reportedly one of his prospective suitors.
Barcelona will likely delve into the market for a wide-attacker in the summer transfer window, as Ousmane Dembele continues to face an uncertain period at Camp Nou. While the Frenchman has shown an inclination towards committing his long-term future to the Blaugrana, the two parties remain at odds in contract renewal negotiations.
At the same time, there are no guarantees that Adama Traore will rejoin Barcelona permanently in the summer transfer window, prompting the Catalan giants to set their sights on Raphinha. And the Brazilian international has quickly become a priority target for Barcelona.
According to recent reports, the La Liga heavyweights have already tabled an offer to sign the 25-year-old, with the bid being worth €35 million. But Leeds United will not accept €35 million to part with Raphinha, and the Whites have pointed towards his €75 million if suitors are to snare him away from Elland Road.
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Barcelona will not give up on pursuing Raphinha with this setback, with renewed contacts set to be established between the two clubs. For now, though, the €35 million bid has been knocked back, and it remains to be seen if Barcelona will be open to trigger the player’s €75 million or place a lower offer instead.