An altogether noteworthy update on the efforts of Spanish giants FC Barcelona to lure Leeds United star Raphinha to the Camp Nou has been provided on Friday.
The subject of wide-man Raphinha’s future has of course long proven something of a concern in west Yorkshire.
This comes with the Brazilian’s ever-impressive form beginning to attract admiring glances across not only the English football landscape, but Europe as a whole.
Raphinha’s haul of nine goals and three assists across a Premier League campaign which has seen Leeds for long periods forced to stave off relegation is understood to have piqued the attentions of a host of heavyweight clubs.
One such outfit frequently tipped as a potential landing spot for the 25-year-old of late, meanwhile, comes in the form of the aforementioned Barcelona.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 16: Jack Harrison celebrates with Raphinha of Leeds United after scoring their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leeds United at London Stadium on January 16, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
And, as alluded to above, on Friday, a fresh insight into the Blaugrana’s pursuit has been forthcoming online.
The info comes courtesy of transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who reveals, significantly, that the transfer chiefs at the Camp Nou have been in ‘well advanced talks’ with Deco, Raphinha’s agent, for a full month now.
This comes with the resurgent Catalans keen to add the Leeds standout to their ranks in time for the 2022/23 campaign.
It is too added, though, that discussions between the respective boards in Catalunya and Yorkshire are yet to get underway.
Barcelona are in well advanced talks with Deco for Raphinha as summer target since one month, but the official negotiation with Leeds won’t start now – it will take some time. ?? #FCB
Ajax winger Antony is highly rated but considered too expensive at current conditions. pic.twitter.com/sZPjrCD25O
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 25, 2022
Xavi’s star-studded attack
Should Raphinha, in the end, opt to take his talents to Barcelona, it would of course add yet further firepower to an already potent frontline currently plying its trade under the watch of Xavi Hernandez at the Camp Nou.
As things stand, battling it out for a spot in the Spaniard’s front-3 are all of Ferran Torres, Ousmane Dembele, Adama Traore, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ansu Fati (sidelined), Martin Braithwaite, Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong.
Is Raphinha’s addition therefore a necessary one? Or does it perhaps point towards one or more of the aforementioned options moving on come the summer?
Dembele, for one, remains primed for pastures new, ahead of the imminent expiration of his contract, whilst the future of fellow wide-man Traore also remains unclear amid a fruitful loan spell from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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