Leeds and Barcelona reach blockbuster Raphinha agreement – Fabrizio Romano
Leeds and Barcelona, after weeks of negotiations, have finally reached an agreement on the fee for Raphinha, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The two clubs have been deadlocked in negotiations for weeks, with both clubs struggling to agree on a fee, while Chelsea and Arsenal also were involved in negotiations for the player.
However, the Italian sports journalist has now confirmed that an agreement has been reached with a fee of €58m plus bonuses being agreed.
Romano said: “Barcelona have already discussed easy and difficult add-ons included in Raphinha deal with Leeds.
“No issues and an agreement has been in place since the morning for €58m guaranteed plus bonuses.
“The bid is official and Barcelona have begun procedures to register Raphinha.”
Blockbuster deal
With the deal reportedly approaching its final stages, it brings to an end one of the biggest transfer sagas of the summer.
Once completed, this deal will become Leeds’ largest fee they have ever received for a player, topping the £42m they received for Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City earlier in the window and the £40m they received from Manchester United for Rio Ferdinand in 2002.
With the reported add-ons included in the deal, the club would have made an estimated €40m on Raphinha after buying him from Stade Rennais in 2020 for £17m.
If the club can reinvest the money they receive from Barcelona back into the squad in its areas of need, it should go a long way in helping them strengthen their squad and will help the club ensure Premier League survival next season.
In other news, Leeds target Charles De Ketalaere, is reportedly on his way to AC Milan.