Chelsea could yet miss out on signing Raphinha from Leeds after his agent was spotted meeting with Barcelona despite agreeing to a move to Stamford Bridge.
The Brazil international signed for Leeds in 2020 ahead of their return to the Premier League, joining from Rennes for around £17m.
READ MORE: Sterling can sort the Chelsea wheat from the chaff, and there’s a hell of a lot of chaff
He has been a standout performer for the Whites over the past two campaigns, and his 17 goals and eleven assists in 66 appearances have caught the attention of a number of top clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea, with the latter reportedly in the driving seat.
A report on Tuesday stated that Chelsea had agreed a £55m transfer fee with Leeds and the deal for the Brazilian winger was close to completion.
But it was also claimed that ‘the race is not yet closed’, and now it appears Barcelona, who were thought to have been ruled out as they can not compete financially, are still in the mix.
A move to the Nou Camp has always been Raphinha’s preference, and his agent Deco seems to be doing everything he can to secure his client’s dream.
🔵🔴 Salen Rafa Yuste, Mateu Alemany, Deco y Enric Masip de las oficinas del Camp Nou
🕶Mateu sonríe cuando le gritan: “trae a Lewandowski, por favor”
🎂Joan Laporta, hoy de cumpleaños, ha salido hace unos minutos
📻@ESPORTSCOPE @deportescope #fcblive pic.twitter.com/PNznJitPSG
— Víctor Navarro (@victor_nahe) June 29, 2022
He was filmed by COPE leaving the Catalan club offices alongside director of football Mateu Alemany and Enric Masip, advisor to president Joan Laporta.
Chelsea are also heavily linked with a move for Raheem Sterling, with Thomas Tuchel said to have held talks with the England international.
And former City goalkeeper Shay Given thinks the decision to sell Sterling could haunt Pep Guardiola.
“He’s a top player, but for whatever reason in the last 12 or 18 months him and Pep, have not fallen out, but he’s just not started every game,” Given said.
“Sterling is a player that strikes me that would not be happy coming off the bench and being a bit-part player in the last six or seven months.
“Will he come back and bite Pep, maybe? That’s the thing from a City point of view, do you think he will come back and score a goal towards the end of the season that wins the league for Chelsea.
“He’s a top player, but with 12 months left £50million is still a lot of money. With the…
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