Deco arrives in Barcelona on Tuesday, wants agreement in principle for Leeds United star Raphinha
Deco jetted into Barcelona earlier today (5 April) with the aim of agreeing a deal in principle for Leeds United star Raphinha to head to the Nou Camp in the summer, according to Sport.
The Spanish news outlet reports on their website that Barca are in “very advanced negotiations” with Raphinha’s agent, who’s already discussed all sorts of details with the La Liga giants.
It is understood that Barcelona want to sign the 25-year-old Brazil international on a five-year deal but it remains to be seen how much Leeds would want for him if they avoid relegation.
Sport claims that if the Whites are relegated from the Premier League, a £20.8million release clause will become active.
Make or break
Deco is bound to reach an agreement with Barcelona.
The ex-Barca player is bound to have a good relationship with his former club while it’s very obvious how keen they are on signing Raphinha.
The Brazilian winger is also bound to want to quit Leeds for Barcelona.
Let’s be honest, unless you’re a die-hard Leeds fan, you’d always leave a club in a Premier League battle to join one of the biggest teams in the world.
Barca have improved with Xavi as manager and Raphinha would walk into their starting line-up based on how well he’s done at Leeds in the last two years.
All we want is for Leeds to get a really good fee for the former Sporting CP and Rennes attacker.
Raphinha isn’t a £30million player. He isn’t a £50million player, either.
We’d expect around £70million for the Brazil international, who’s been instrumental in Leeds’ return to the Premier League and his nation’s qualification to the World Cup.
In other Leeds United news, Ebanie Bridges has shared an image as she reveals what Jesse Marsch told her behind the scenes at Elland Road.