Joan Laporta issues update on Barcelona interest in Leeds United ace Raphinha

Joan Laporta confirms that Barcelona have been in discussions with Leeds United over the potential transfer of Raphinha.

The Catalan Giants have been long-linked with the Brazilian and the player and his agent Deco are keen on making it happen.

Chelsea and Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in the 25-year-old and the transfer saga has been ongoing for nearly two months.

According to Spanish journalist Reshad Rahman, "Joan Laporta to the press, on Raphinha: “We have communication and have spoken with Leeds. What’s there is that there are other clubs that want Raphinha and are making their proposals. He wants to come.”

End it soon

Leeds cannot keep waiting for Barcelona to have the funds in order to afford the services of Raphinha.

If they do not have what's needed now, the Whites must sell him to Chelsea as they've got a fee agreement with them already.

They need the money to sign replacements and the longer they wait, the tougher it will be for them to sign quality players.

All the available players will be off the market and it's only going to be harder to get someone through the door.

Victor Orta seems to have started work already on getting in new players but he will not have an idea of the finances until the Raphinha deal is done.

While it's one thing to appreciate the wishes of the player, it's anything to stop when you're getting played and Leeds need to make a final call soon.

In other Leeds United news, the club have now opened talks with an ‘Incredible’ title-winning central midfielder to replace Kalvin Phillips.