Spanish newspaper SPORT claim Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany will fly to Leeds this week in order to strike a deal for Raphinha – and to restore harmony between the clubs, with Angus Kinnear ‘not happy’.
Raphinha, 25, was in action on Monday as Brazil secured a 1-0 win over Japan – Neymar scoring a penalty. Raphinha came close to curling a free-kick into the bottom corner, during the first half. He lasted 63 minutes.
His move to Barcelona is in jeopardy. With Leeds staying in the Premier League, the Whites are in a strong position to charge what they want for their winger’s services. Leeds want £55million, according to SPORT.
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Alemany is set to jet in to Yorkshire for talks with the Leeds hierarchy this week. But he will have to restore a happier atmosphere first, with Kinnear unhappy at the ‘pause’ in talks – from initial interest until now.
Reports also claim this week that Barcelona are unwilling to go above £34million for Raphinha. But to twist the Yorkshire club’s arm, they are willing to include defender Oscar Mingueza in a deal.
Alemany will fly to Leeds for Raphinha with Kinnear unimpressed
Leeds are right to charge the figure they are requesting. £34million is far below Raphinha’s quality. He is easily a £50million player, if not more. One with Champions League quality.
Becoming a regular for Brazil alongside the likes of Neymar and Vinicius Jr. is proof of that. Leeds, meanwhile, do not need a defender – with four centre-backs on the books in Liam Cooper, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk.
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