Barcelona and Leeds United could announce Raphinha transfer in hours
Leeds United and Barcelona could announce the transfer of Raphinha within a matter of hours on Monday (11 July), according to SPORT.
The Spanish newspaper has reported in their print edition [11 July, pg. 2] that the Brazilian could be an official Nou Camp star before the end of play on Monday as he simply waits for the call to jet out.
Jesse Marsch and the rest of the Leeds squad are currently in the Gold Coast of Australia, where it is approaching 5 pm at the time of writing, so they could even be asleep if this is announced later in the day.
Raphinha is now said to feel relief that his move is being finalised.
The winger returned to Thorp Arch last week and even asked to be left at home from the Australia tour, and now also has belief that this move will be sorted imminently within hours, not days.
Barcelona are said to be paying up to £63million for his services, which could be worth the total asking price of £55million upfront with the rest in add-ons [Daily Mail].
One becomes Two.
The loss of Kalvin Phillips should hit Leeds more, but there is no hiding that this will hurt.
Players such as the Brazilian come and go quite regularly, and with Luis Sinisterra already in the bag and out training with the squad in Australia, he could sooth that pain if he hits the ground running.
We have been prepared for this exit for months now after all of this non-stop drivel about Barcelona, and there may even be a sigh of relief once it is finally done and announced.
That will then allow Leeds to move and push for a new striker, something that is now desperately needed to hopefully complete the jigsaw at Elland Road.
It then leaves time for other little deals to potentially be looked at, with a new experienced goalkeeper and potentially another left-back are areas that need to be addressed.
Marsch could wake up in the Gold Coast to this news, but it will likely be refreshing as it leaves him with nothing else to deal with and a clean slate to push forward – time to get this one done.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites now want to sign this striker with a rival set to kickstart a major £30million+ transfer battle