David Anderson: Leeds United hold the power over Raphinha Barcelona move, asking price revealed
Leeds United will require “nearly double” the £33.5million Barcelona want to pay for Raphinha according to The Mirror’s David Anderson.
Fabrizio Romano has now fallen in line with what Leeds journalists such as Phil Hay and Graham Smyth have been reporting, clarifying on Twitter there is no current release clause in the Brazilian’s contract.
That leaves the power in the club’s hands over the proposed transfer to the Camp Nou, and Anderson says it will not happen “without Leeds’ blessing”.
He writes in The Mirror: “They understand the appeal of Barcelona to any player, but are adamant they will not let him leave Elland Road in any cut-price deal.
“Reports in Spain claim Barcelona are prepared to offer around £33.5million or 40 million euros for Raphinha.
“This sum would not come close to meetings Leeds’ valuation if they did reluctantly decide to cash in on Raphinha and it is understood they would want nearly double that amount.
“Sources close to Barcelona claim the Catalan side are confident of agreeing personal terms with Raphinha, but that will only be one half of the deal and he will not be leaving without Leeds’ blessing.”
Won’t be bullied
Clearly Joan Laporta is expecting that by going public with his club’s pursuit of the Whites’ star he can influence things.
The players’ agent, Deco, appears to be working on behalf of two of the three parties involved in the deal.
But the Portuguese’s former team are going to have to play ball if they want to secure the 25-year-old.
The relegation battle has eased but it isn’t over, and the not-at-all secret negotiations between Deco and Barcelona over the star player at Elland Road are hardly helping.
At the very least, it is going to have to wait until Premier League survival is assured.
The reports of the last couple of weeks have increasingly made the move look like simply a matter of time.
But, while one side of the equation would like to see it that way, it looks like it is no done deal.
If Xavi’s side want to secure Raphinha this summer, they are going to have to cough up the roughly £65million it is going to take, because there is every chance that a successful World Cup this winter to send that price through the roof.
In other Leeds United news, the club could face positive and negative consequences from an “extraordinary” £1billion spending spree.