By George Overhill

1st Jul, 2022 | 7:30pm

Leeds United star Raphinha refuses Chelsea talks, sends warning to current club

Raphinha is refusing to negotiate with Chelsea despite Leeds United agreeing a £60million deal with the London club, according to Sport in Spain.

A move to the Camp Nou has long been mooted as the player’s preference, and agent Deco has been doing everything he can to allow them opportunities to win the race.

The financial constraints for the Catalans mean they have still not had an offer accepted at Elland Road, despite Fabrizio Romano reporting on Thursday (30 June) that they had finally come up with a bid, which was rejected for not meeting Chelsea’s level.

The 25-year-old has now reportedly told his agent to reject the advance from Stamford Bridge and he will “not enter into any type of salary negotiation” with them.

He is apparently making specific attempts to avoid his sale becoming an auction in order to keep the price down for the benefit of Barca.

Romano specified on his YouTube channel on Thursday that “Leeds want to do the deal with Chelsea” because the Blues have offered far more than the Blaugrana and will pay it quickly.

But Sport say that the Brazilian’s refusal to entertain that move is a “forceful warning” that he will decide where he goes, not his club, and the “ultimatum” they gave him this week is not accepted.

Messy

While his exit was expected for much of this year the manner in which it is coming about is turning out to be a problem.

So far United and Raphinha have appeared to be sanguine about the fact that the proposed move to La Liga has dragged on due to issues outside the control of either.

Deco has understandably been copping flack for seemingly working against Leeds and in favour of his former side, but now that Chelsea have taken advantage of the situation and done what nobody else has by stumping up the cash the relationship between club and player is threatening to turn sour.

Fans are already losing patience with the man who was their shining light during the relegation-threatened 2021/22 season.

The irony is that it is in the club’s, supporters’, player’s and Barcelona’s interests that he moves there because that is what he would choose, they get their man, and nobody at Leeds has to face the prospect of opposing him in the Premier League.

Yet throughout this the only party not fulfilling their obligations to make that happen have been the Catalan giants.

Deco is also a former player at Stamford Bridge but appears to have nothing comparable in terms of loyalties there.

And while it may be everyone, apart from the other interested clubs’, preference for Raphinha to go to the Camp Nou, that can’t be forced without them paying up.

United appear to have been quite accommodating as this saga has rumbled on so it isn’t a great sign if they are now being backed into a corner in return.

In other Leeds United news, one highly-rated talent who was expected to be making a move this summer will remain at the club and join his teammate in talks over a new contract.