The Catalans club have agreed personal terms with Leeds United winger Raphina, as per reports. Completing a transfer would not be an issue, given that the Brazilian has two separate release clauses embedded in his contract.
As per Spanish publication Sport, the 25-year-old has given his assurances to the Barca hierarchy over a move this summer which can be considered a significant blow towards any other club’s chances of signing him.
The report further states that Barcelona already have had a bid knocked back by Leeds United, who are still fighting for Premier League safety as things stand. The offer, said to be in the region of 35 million euros, was knocked back by the Whites, although they are being persuaded to accept it by the player’s agent, a former Barcelona and Chelsea player himself, Deco.
There is also talk of the Blaugrana including defender Oscar Mingueza in the deal, but it is unclear whether Leeds would be willing to accept a player in exchange for their talisman this summer.
Interestingly, Fabrizio Romano reports that Raphinha’s destiny is not in the hands of Leeds themselves, owing to two break clauses in his current contract. As per his report, the Brazilian has a release clause of 75 million should Leeds stay in the Premier League, one that will go down to 25 million if they are relegated at the end of the season. Barcelona are prepared to wait until the end of the season to make their move.
Raphinha has been a key figure in Leeds’ fight against relegation this season; he has netted nine goals – already surpassing his previous season’s tally of six – in 28 games across all competitions.
