Raphinha is one player that has been in the spotlight in the summer transfer window in recent weeks ahead of the 2022/23 football season. It appears that the Brazilian will be making his dream move to Barcelona from Leeds United eventually.
It appears that the two clubs have agreed a deal of 57 million pounds and the Catalans are very close to sealing a deal. Raphinha chose to wait for a dream move to Camp Nou, snubbing Chelsea interest after the Blues shook hands on a deal with the Elland Road club earlier this summer.
Raphinha’s decision came after Chelsea and Elland Road club reached an agreement on the transfer fee. The Calalan giants pounced to get the services of the 25-year-old winger after Chelsea diverted the early interest that Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur had shown in him.
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In addition, according to Fabrizio Romano, an all-encompassing agreement has finally been struck with Leeds to finalize Xavi Hernandez’s most recent signing.
Barcelona will pay a total amount of £49m (€58m), with an additional £8m (€9m) in add-ons. This will be the highest sum that Leeds have ever received for a player.
The fee in the Raphinha deal will surpass the £42m that Manchester City spent for Kalvin Phillips during the same transfer window.
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The Brazilian who has been heavily linked with an exit from Elland Road since February will be committing his future to the La Liga giants by signing a deal that will make him stay put at Camp Nou until June 2027.
Barcelona’s spending power has come under scrutiny in recent after financial challenges at the club and seeing them complete this deal and even beating interests from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea comes as a surprise.
According to reports, Frenkie de Jong, who is also attracting interest from Chelsea and Manchester United. is presently owed deferred salary payments of £17 million by the Blaugrana.
It has been suggested that the payment challenge is affecting the player’s proposed transfer to Manchester United this summer.
Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.