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Leeds United yet to receive formal Chelsea offer for Raphinha
Leeds United have still not received a formal offer from Chelsea for star winger Raphinha according to BBC Sport’s Alistair Magowan.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein had reported on Tuesday (28 June) that the two clubs were close to agreeing a fee of over £55million for the Brazilian, with Fabrizio Romano then confirming a total amount of between £60million and £65million.
Personal terms are thought to be under discussion between the London-based side and their former player Deco, who is the player’s agent.
But while they have apparently jumped to the front of the queue, the unacceptably low offer from Arsenal apparently remains the only official offer received to date.
Magowan will only go as far as to say that Todd Boehly’s club have “joined the race”.
Otherwise he reports: “As yet, there has been no formal offer made to Leeds, who survived the threat of Premier League relegation on the last day of last season.”
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Formalities?
The news over the past 24-hours would suggest that the long-expected exit of the 25-year-old could happen any minute.
But perhaps that is premature if discussions have yet to be formalised, which could theoretically leave the door open for Arsenal.
Barcelona remain part of the equation but whether they are ever going to make a real move to sign the man who has apparently been a months-long priority for them is anyone’s guess.
With the new chairman and de facto sporting director at Stamford Bridge, Boehly, apparently getting personally involved in a big way with the transfer window it would seem to suggest that whatever discussions have been held between the two clubs over Raphinha were far from inconsequential.
It may be that the American is waiting until everything is verbally lined up between his outfit, the Elland Road decision-makers, and the player himself before he sends the offer across.
It seems likely that this deal now happens, which has positives and negatives for the Whites, but until that formal offer arrives there is still scope for further developments.
In other Leeds United news, one main target could be on his way imminently with the club in contact and him excluded from pre-season training to sort his future.