Chelsea still ‘favourites’ for Raphinha despite Leeds waiting for Barcelona bid
Chelsea are reportedly still the favourites to sign Raphinha this summer despite Leeds United waiting for a bid from Barcelona.
The Blues have already had a £55million bid accepted for the Brazilian winger but have yet to complete the signing as Raphinha favours a move to Barcelona. However, the Spanish giants are yet to meet Leeds' asking price for the 25-year-old, meaning Chelsea remain the favourites to land him, according to The Evening Standard.
Raphinha is understood to have told Barca that he will wait for the club to make a suitable offer in order to join them, having turned down approaches from both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
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The report also states that a decision on Raphinha's future is expected imminently as the wait for a sufficient bid from Barcelona goes on.
Arsenal are believed to remain hopeful of signing the former Sporting man this summer, but Chelsea remain the frontrunners if Barca fail to match Leeds' valuation.
Raphinha scored 11 goals and provided three assists in 36 appearances for Leeds last season to take his overall tally for the club to 29 goal involvements in 67 matches since signing from Rennes in 2020.
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His potential arrival at Stamford Bridge would bolster Thomas Tuchel's attacking options for the new season, with Raheem Sterling also thought to be close to joining.
Sterling has agreed personal terms with Chelsea ahead of a move from Premier League champions Manchester City, with the England forward set to become the highest-paid player in the club's history.
The signing of Sterling would also be the first under Chelsea's new owners. He and Raphinha will not be the last arrivals this summer, though, with Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital reportedly promising Tuchel a minimum of six summer signings to boost his squad.
Boehly was also spotted in Barcelona this week as the Blues are linked with a plot to hijack Manchester United's attempts to sign Frenkie de Jong.
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