Barcelona Ousmane Dembele talks ‘only thing’ to stop move for Leeds United star Raphinha
Barcelona’s contract talks with Ousmane Dembele are the “only thing that could stop” the “operation” to sign Leeds United star Raphinha, El Nacional report.
The France international, who cost the Catalans £135.5million to sign in 2017 (BBC) has been rejuvenated in recent months under Xavi, having looked certain to leave at the expiration of his contract previously.
A meeting was reportedly held this week between his agent and the club, but the salary on offer is lower than it was in January, as it appears president Joan Laporta prefers the Whites man, while the coach would rather keep Dembele.
To that end, the subsequent meeting between the Brazilian’s agent Deco and the La Liga club appears to have been more successful and an agreement is “practically closed”.
El Nacional‘s report says in summary: “The only thing that could stop Raphinha’s operation is the renewal of Dembélé. If the French footballer finally ends up stamping his signature with Barça, the Brazilian would no longer be an option.
“But if Dembélé leaves [this] summer, the signing of Raphinha is already on track.”
Domino effect
Clearly there is a great wish to bring United’s winger to the Camp Nou, although not from everybody.
The driving force looks to very much be Laporta who is attempting any route he can come up with to fund a deal that looks to be beyond the Spanish giants in cash terms.
Mundo Deportivo reported that Oscar Mingueza, Sergino Dest, Clement Lenglet and Martin Braithwaite have all been offered in exchange.
But just as Xavi appears not to want to part with the French winger whom he has managed to turn into the player the club thought they were buying five years ago, these make-weights don’t want to help make a Raphinha deal happen.
Whatever agreement Deco comes up with, the 25-year-old isn’t leaving Elland Road without a major deal between the clubs.
Clearly, relegation needs to be safely avoided, but if Dembele is willing to accept the reduced terms apparently on offer it looks like that could stop the pursuit in its tracks.
In other Leeds United news, a Premier League giant is “confident” of seeing off competition to sign a key Whites player.