Chelsea handed major Raphinha blow as Deco in talks to help Barcelona secure late steal
Barcelona are reportedly trying to hijack Chelsea’s move for Raphinha.
If reports are to be believed, Raphinha’s agent Deco is in contact with Leeds United in order to help his client join Barcelona this summer.
The news comes just a day after Fabrizio Romano reported that Chelsea had come to an agreement with the Yorkshire club over a potential move. Meanwhile, Arsenal are the only other side to have tabled a bid so far. The Gunners have been rejected on each occasion though, falling short of the valuation.
It’s well documented that Raphinha’s preferred destination is Barcelona, however. Now, according to Gerard Romero, Barcelona are very much in the race to sign the 25-year-old. He says that the club has a ‘high chance’ of signing the player despite Chelsea’s agreement with Leeds due to the strength of Deco’s influence and the player’s desire.
Deco is said to be talking with the club in order to help his client successfully move to La Liga this summer.
Whether Barca’s interest in Raphinha impacts Chelsea’s pursuit of Ousmane Dembele remains to be seen. football.london has claimed that the Blues remain interested in the Frenchman who – despite reports suggesting he’s keen on staying in Barcelona – hasn’t put pen-to-paper on a new deal in Catalonia just yet.
It’s understood that the Blues want two attackers, amid interest in Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling. We’ll have to wait to find out who those two new introductions are though.
