have submitted a ‘final offer’ for Leeds United winger Raphinha according to reports in Spain, with one of the summer’s most protracted sags set to be coming to an end.
All three of Barcelona, , and have been heavily linked with a move for the Brazilian, who played a key role in helping Leeds narrowly avoid relegation at the end of last season following Jesse Marsch’s arrival to replace Marcelo Bielsa.
The 25-year-old signed for the Yorkshire club in 2020 for a fee of around £17m from Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais, and has gone to score 17 goals in 16 appearances since then.
Now in Spain says that Barcelona want to end the saga in one way or another, and have made a final offer of around £47m. That figure is significantly lower than the sum Leeds supposedly want in order to part with their prize asset, and does not match the amount of money Chelsea are willing to pay.
The Blues are attempting to reinvigorate their frontline this summer, having allowed wantaway striker Romelu Lukaku to return to Inter Milan on loan, less than a year after spending around £90m to bring him back to Stamford Bridge for a second spell.
Raheem Sterling is set to be signed from Manchester City, meanwhile, as Thomas Tuchel targets more adaptable forwards capable of playing anywhere in the attacking positions in his 4-3-3 system.
Tuchel held an interest in signing another Brazilian forward, Richarlison, but his move from Everton to Tottenham Hotspur has reignited interested in compatriot Raphinha.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have lost both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette within six months and seem keen to sign a new wide player to go into their squad alongside new striker Gabriel Jesus.
The report adds that Raphinha’s decision over which club to join will also determine the future of Ousmane Dembele, the forward whose Barcelona contract expired last week and has yet to decide whether to remain in Catalonia or move on.
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