Barcelona might be able to afford to sign Raphinha in the summer, with Leeds United reportedly demanding €40 million for the Liverpool target.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Barcelona’s hopes of signing Raphinha in the summer transfer window might have risen after Leeds United slashed the Brazilian’s asking price. The Whites are demanding €40 million to sell Raphinha, with Liverpool also keen on signing him.
Raphinha has been a breath of fresh air since arriving in England by joining Leeds United from Stade Rennais in October 2020. The 25-year-old has been a talismanic figure for the Whites in the last two seasons and played an instrumental role in helping his team avoid relegation to the EFL Championship this past term.
The Brazilian international amassed 11 goals and three assists in 35 Premier League appearances in the recently-concluded season and has also become a pivotal figure for the Selecao. But Raphinha is keen on embarking on a new adventure in the summer transfer window amid interest from several European bigwigs, including Barcelona and Liverpool.
Ousmane Dembele’s uncertain future has left Barcelona in a spot of bother, with Raphinha popping up on their radar as a viable replacement option for the French international. Recent reports have claimed that Barcelona and Leeds were to reopen talks to discuss a summer move for the 25-year-old.
With Dembele highly unlikely to sign a new contract, Barcelona will have to intensify the efforts to sign Raphinha. And Leeds’s decision to slash the price tag to €40 million will have boosted Barcelona’s hope of signing the Brazilian attacker. But Barcelona will have to fend off stiff competition from Liverpool to land Raphinha.
The interest from Liverpool is surprising, considering Darwin Nunez will likely take Sadio Mane’s spot once the Senegalese international moves to Bayern Munich. Nonetheless, it looks like the Reds remain keen on signing Raphinha, with his €40 million price tag unlikely to deter them.
Also Read: Three potential Ousmane Dembele replacements for Barcelona
Apart from Barcelona and Liverpool, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are also keen on signing Raphinha. But with the Brazilian international reportedly pushing to join Barcelona, a €40 million summer move to Camp Nou could be on the cards.
