Barcelona are ready to return to Leeds United with an improved bid for Raphinha and pay the Elland Road outfit’s asking price for a transfer in the event of Premier League survival.
That’s according to Sport, who report the Blaugrana are keen to avoid a bidding war in the off-season. So, the Camp Nou hierarchy are holding regular talks with the West Yorkshire natives over the terms of a deal. But the La Liga giants will not rush to finalise any switch.
The Whites’ precarious top-flight status encourages the Catalan outfit to hold off finalising the Brazilian’s move. Jesse Marsch has led Leeds to two wins during his first four games in charge. Yet United sit 16th, seven points from the dope zone and have played once more.
Additionally, Barcelona hope Raphinha’s agent, Deco, can help them to convince the Leeds board to sanction a transfer. The winger is focused on moving to the Camp Nou, should he leave Elland Road, even in the event a rival suitor offers United a larger fee for his services.
Leeds suffering relegation from the Premier League can aid Barcelona’s pursuit, as well, as it lowers Raphinha’s release clause to €25m (£21m). The Whites are demanding twice that to grant a transfer should Marsch secure their third straight season of top-flight football.
Barcelona willing to improve Raphinha bid and give Leeds £34m before add-ons
Barcelona are willing to improve their offer to meet Leeds’ non-relegation asking price for Raphinha, after the Whites rejected their opening bid. The Blaugrana aim to pay the €50m (£42.25m) figure with €40m (£34m), plus a further €10m (£8.5m) in future add-on clauses.
The West Yorkshire outfit snubbed the Blaugrana’s first offer of €35m (£29.5m) last week, per Sport, before holding further talks. Now, the Elland Road hierarchy need to weigh up if the Camp Nou outfit’s improved bid is sufficient to remove a key weapon in Marsch’s side.
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Deco will try to convince Victor Orta that Barcelona’s proposal is worth it, for a player who Paul Merson believes has ‘talent in abundance’. The 25-year-old has also scored nine goals and created a further three over 27 Premier League outings, starting 26, so far this season.
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