Arsenal could rival Chelsea for Raphinha as they consider a new last-ditch bid to sign the Leeds United winger.
The Gunners are set to sign Manchester City attacker Gabriel Jesus after he arrived for a medical on Tuesday.
The hope was that Arsenal would be able to add one of his Brazilian international teammates by signing Leeds star Raphinha.
Reports in Brazil earlier this week claimed that Arsenal set set for a new meeting with Raphinha’s agents in just a few days.
That gave Arsenal fans real hope of a deal for Raphinha but rivals Chelsea now appear to have swooped in.
Arsenal could rival Chelsea for Raphinha
The Athletic claimed on Tuesday evening that Chelsea are closer to agreeing a deal worth north of £55million for Raphinha.
Leeds are seemingly happy with the deal and then it would be down to Raphinha to decide his future.
Barcelona can’t afford him and Arsenal have yet to get close to Leeds’ asking price, so Chelsea have sneaked in front.
The chase isn’t completely over for Arsenal though.
90Min claim that Arsenal are now considering whether to make a new bid after learning of Chelsea’s offer for the Brazilian star.
Goal Brasil add that Leeds are still waiting for a final offer from Arsenal before fully green-lighting the move to Chelsea.
Leeds may even sense a bidding war here; the two London rivals certainly won’t want to be seen to have missed out and could go higher and higher.
The ball is now in Arsenal’s court. They have been chasing Raphinha for weeks now and seemed to be in pole position with Barcelona fading away.
Chelsea’s move will have left Edu and Mikel Arteta stunned and the coming hours will now determine whether Arsenal put up a fight to bring Raphinha to the Emirates Stadium or simply move on to other targets on Edu’s wish list.
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