Chelsea and Arsenal could be back in the race to sign Raphinha with the Leeds United attacker demanding a quick answer from Barcelona, according to reports.
The Brazil international has been linked with a number of clubs over the past few months after he shone for Leeds last campaign.
Raphinha has contributed 17 goals and 12 assists in the last two campaigns for the Yorkshire outfit, who narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season.
Arsenal and Manchester United have much to learn as selling well separates best from the rest
Arsenal looked like the early leaders for the Brazilian’s signature before Chelsea made their move for the Leeds attacker last month.
And both the Premier League clubs have looked out of the race recently with reports revealing that Raphinha has his heart set a move to Barcelona this summer.
The main problem with a potential move to the Camp Nou is the money involved to make it happen with the Catalan giants no longer the financial powerhouse they once were.
Despite that, there was a report on July 2 that Barcelona were now ‘about to close the deal’ for Raphinha but there has been little hint since that they are nearing completion.
In fact, there were claims yesterday that Chelsea are ‘favourites’ for his signature if the La Liga side fail to stump up Leeds’ £65m asking price.
And now Spanish publication Nacional insists that Raphinha’s arrival at Barcelona is ‘still frozen’ as Joan Laporta ‘gives priority’ to the signing of Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich.
It is claimed that the Brazilian’s patience ‘will not be infinite’ and he has demanded ‘an answer within the next few days’ or he ‘won’t have a problem starting talks with other clubs’.
If he can’t secure a move to the Camp Nou then Raphinha has ‘many future options to choose from’ including Chelsea and Arsenal with his desire for Champions League football likely to see him pick the former.
And former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor thinks Chelsea fans would rather the club signed Raphinha and Raheem Sterling than wantaway Man Utd striker Ronaldo.
“For me, if you’re a Chelsea fan you would rather have Sterling and Raphinha over Ronaldo,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.
“Sterling’s quick, he can press, score goals. Raphinha’s the same. They’ve got more legs.
“Ronaldo, yes, he scored goals last season but there were games where he offered nothing at all apart from getting a…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Football365…