A fresh insight into the ongoing efforts of Spanish giants FC Barcelona to lure Leeds United star Raphinha to the club has been provided on Saturday.
Brazilian wide-man Raphinha has of course long been tipped for a Camp Nou switch.
This comes with Xavi Hernandez and co. eyeing reinforcements on the right flank, braced for the free agent departure of Ousmane Dembele, and expected return of loanee Adama Traore to Wolves.
The Blaugrana’s original plan centred around taking advantage of a clause in Raphinha’s Leeds contract.
The stipulation in question would have come into play in the case of the Whites being relegated from the Premier League, placing the club’s star attacker on the market for a fee of just €25 million.
Jesse Marsch’s troops, though, managed to stave off the drop in the end, meaning the board at Elland Road are free to place their own valuation on Raphinha’s head.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Raphinha walks off carrying a banner made by a fan during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Elland Road on May 15, 2022 in Leeds, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
And this valuation, if reports over the course of the last couple of weeks are to be believed, has been placed in the region of €55 million.
Such demands, coupled with the suggestion that Leeds’ board are unwilling to open to the prospect of payment being spread out over the course of several years, had, in turn, culminated in widespread claims that Barcelona had been left with little choice but accept defeat in the club’s Raphinha pursuit.
Earlier this week, however, the situation drastically changed.
Owing to a series of decisions made during an Extraordinary General Assembly in the Catalan capital, Barcelona’s coffers were boosted by means of a projected financial injection of around €600 million.
And, if the latest word stemming from the Spanish media is anything to go by, such funds could well see the club’s pursuit of Leeds’ star man positioned firmly back on track.
As per journalist Joaquim Piera of Spanish outlet Diario Sport, regarded as reliable amongst Barca circles, Joan Laporta has made fresh contact with Raphinha, to make clear to the Brazilian that the Blaugrana fully intend to bring him to the club this summer.
It is also suggested that Leeds’ demands have been lowered to around €50 million.
Barcelona’s standing offer of €40 million therefore remains short of Raphinha’s asking price, albeit with a fresh proposal viewed as imminent.
🔄 (RAPHINHA): Joan Laporta transmits to Raphinha that Barcelona will have the financial muscle and they will look to sign him yes or yes.
• Leeds Utd have reduced their demands from €65m to €50m. Barça, for the moment, are offering €40m.#FCB 🇧🇷
Via: @joaquimpiera [sport] pic.twitter.com/0tUaTnD6Vl
— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) June 18, 2022
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