Transfer News: Chelsea target Raphinha pushing for Barcelona move.
Leeds United winger Raphinha will prefer a transfer to Chelsea if his preferred move to Barcelona doesn’t materialise, according to The Athletic (Subscription Required) [h/t football.london]. The Brazilian winger is holding out for a transfer to Camp Nou, but if Blaugrana fail to sign him, the 25-year-old has Chelsea as his second choice.
The Brazilian made a move to Elland Road in 2020 from Rennes and has been an important player under Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch.
The Whites are asking for £50million for their star man who is expected to leave this summer after helping his side avoid relegation. If Leeds had been relegated, they would’ve been compelled to let Raphina go for less than £30million, his release clause.
Arsenal are amongst the other clubs vying for the signing of the Brazilian ace, but the lack of Champions League football may prove to be a hindrance.
If Raphinha were to move to Stamford Bridge, it would give Thomas Tuchel a player who can play out wide and be prolific as well. The Brazilian also has Premier League experience, which can be crucial for players.
In West Yorkshire, the 25-year-old became the star man of his team. Leeds finished 9th in the league, an impressive feat for a club playing their first top-flight season after a 16-year absence. The Brazil international was crucial in attaining that position.
However, this season wasn’t as exciting at Elland Road as the club fought relegation, only securing their place on the last day of the season as Burnley were relegated instead. The Brazilian winger was one of the bright spots, scoring 11 in 35 appearances for the club in the league.
All in all, his time at Elland Road has been impressive, scoring 17 and assisting 11 in 66 outings for the club. But more than that, it is his dribbling and attacking intent that has made a very potent outlet for the Whites out on the flank.
With Barcelona the firm favourites, it’s difficult to see him joining the Blues. However, the Catalans haven’t yet been able to match the asking price. Arsenal are also interested but their offer was also deemed insufficient by Leeds.
With this in mind, Chelsea still have a chance of snapping up a talented winger who can add goals and creativity to the team, something that has been lacking this season at the Bridge. It remains to be seen what such a move would do to the futures of Christian Pulisic or Callum Hudson-Odoi- two wingers already struggling for regular starts.
But that would be a problem to think about if we manage to get Raphinha in the first place.
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