Leeds United reject new Barcelona bid for Raphinha – Fabrizio Romano
Leeds United have rejected Barcelona’s latest bid to sign Raphinha, according to Guardian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
As relayed by CaughtOffside, who Romano writes for, on Sunday (10 July), it was reported that Barcelona’s “improved” offer for the 25-year-old Brazil winger has been turned down by Leeds.
Romano reported on Saturday (9 July) that Barca’s newest bid for Raphinha didn’t match the £60million that was offered by Chelsea and was accepted by the Whites.
Playing hardball
Leeds are in a great position here.
Chelsea’s offer is set in stone and has been accepted.
If Barcelona want to match that offer then that’s great.
It means Raphinha will be on his merry way to the Nou Camp or it could mean that Chelsea will come in with an even higher offer to ward off the La Liga club.
It’s amazing that Barcelona are even able to offer money for Raphinha considering their financial situation but they’re really taking their time to sign a player who clearly wants to join them.
But for Raphinha, he might need to start softening his stance and agreeing that a move to Chelsea might be best for him.
And it would, in all honesty.
At Chelsea, he’d start most games, get to play in the Premier League and Champions League and compete for major honours, knowing that the club is financially sound.
At Barcelona, he can do most of that but there’s always going to be that issue with the club’s financial accounts.
Barca are going backwards.
They’re nowhere near the force they once were and you have to say that Chelsea are far more likely to do better in the Champions League and in domestic competitions than a Barca side that’s miles behind Real Madrid.
Raphinha needs to make up his mind and stop slowing down the process.
Ultimately, the power is in Leeds’ hands.
In other Leeds United news, this £40,000-a-week Leeds player is being hidden from pre-season footage as the club gets ready to get rid of him.