Chelsea must await the outcome of talks between Leeds and Barcelona over Raphinha with Joan Laporta saying winger prefers a move to the Nou Camp
- Chelsea have submitted a fee of £55m plus add ons for Leeds forward Raphinha
- But they must wait until discussions between Leeds and Barcelona have finished
- The player’s preference is to join Barca who submitted an offer on Thursday
- Barcelona president Joan Laporta says that Raphinha wants to join the club
Chelsea‘s patience is being tested as they await the outcome of talks between Leeds United and Barcelona over the transfer of Raphinha.
The Stamford Bridge club agreed a fee of £55m plus add-ons last week but Barcelona, the player’s preferred destination, countered with an offer on Thursday.
Leeds have still to accept that offer as it is understood to amount to £51m paid in instalments of £17.2m. Players have also been mooted in exchange.
Chelsea are being made to wait to find out if they £55m bid for Raphinha will be enough
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed Raphinha wants a move to the Nou Camp.
Laporta, speaking at a tribute to club legend Johan Cruyff, confirmed Barca’s interest in Raphinha and indicated the player would prefer to play for them rather than Chelsea.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed that Raphinha wants to join the club
‘We have spoken with Leeds. We know the player would also like to come to Barca, but there are also other clubs,’ he said.
Chelsea, who expect a Barcelona approach for left-back Marcos Alonso, will not wait too long as they have other targets to pursue rather than be dragged into another saga.
They are advancing in talks for Raheem Sterling at Manchester City and are ready to talk to Ousmane Dembele’s agent Moussa Sissoko with the Barcelona forward now a free agent.
Christian Pulisic, however, is understood to be in no rush to leave after talks with Juventus over a potential cash plus player swap for Matthijs de Ligt.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have been linked with a number of targets since Todd Boehly’s takeover
With the choice of attacking transfer targets, it is evident that coach Thomas Tuchel is considering a return to the 4-3-3 formation he used so effectively at Borussia Dortmund and Pulisic has the flexibility…