Leeds United ace Raphinha favourite of Barcelona president Joan Laporta

Leeds United ace Raphinha has emerged as the favourite of Barcelona president Joan Laporta, according to Quim Domenech Puigbo.

According to the El Chiringuito journalist, the 59-year-old wants to bring the Brazilian to Camp Nou in the summer.

Previously, Laporta has also spoken about the good relationship he shares with Raphinha as well as his agent Deco.

He said, via Fabrizio Romano, "Raphinha is a player we really like and it's true that Deco's his agent. We've very good relationships.

"I want to clarify that Deco's not paid by the club. He will just help us because he dominates the Brazilian market".

Briefings begin

Barcelona are desperate to sign Raphinha in the summer and will do all it takes to make that happen.

Laporta has gone public about his admiration for Raphinha and his good relationships with Deco.

Now, he appears to have taken it a step further by briefing the Spanish media about the Brazilian being his number one choice.

They do not have the money to pay Leeds so are doing everything they can to unsettle the plan.

With this, they could be hoping that he tells Leeds he wants to leave and the club are then compelled into selling him on the cheap.

The next few weeks are interesting as there's already a contract offer on the table for him and he should sign it with the inclusion of a release clause.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites are leading the race to complete a major signing and have already opened talks to seal a £25m deal.