Raphinha Makes Chelsea Decision If Barcelona Transfer Fails

Raphinha is ready to join Chelsea this summer should Barcelona fail to agree a fee with Leeds United, according to reports.

The 25-year-old is set to depart Elland Road this summer, with Chelsea and Barcelona the two leading contenders for his signature amid interest from Arsenal. 

Thomas Tuchel, who is looking to add several forwards to his side this summer, is keen on the Brazilian which has seen the Blues agree a fee. 

He has been promised up to six signings this summer, with the attack and defence eyed as the priority. 

A senior source told The Telegraph last month: "The key is to basically work with Tuchel to come up with the best players that are available.

"We really want to make sure we have a good defence. We've got depth in midfield. We're not desperate for an out-and-out striker.

"I think it's a combination of moves and there's five or six that we're going to look to make.”

Raphinha is among those wanted and a deal worth £55 million plus add-ons was agreed between the two clubs and now an offer for personal terms, worth £6 million per season, has been proposed to Raphinha. 

He is currently weighing up the offer from Chelsea, however he is holding out to see if Barcelona are able to financially afford a move.

Leeds will respect their agreement with Chelsea and will wait to see if the Spanish side can match the bid. 

Barcelona has always been Raphinha’s preference, but as reported by The Telegraph, he is prepared to make the switch to Stamford Bridge if a move to Spain fails to materialise.

His agent, Deco - formerly of Chelsea - has been in Barcelona meeting with the club to explore whether a transfer is financially viable.

Chelsea are in pole position for the winger, as it stands, with Todd Boehly happy to remain patient to see how it plays with personal terms ‘broadly agreed’ and not expected to be an issue. 

Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling is also wanted and talks remain ongoing over a proposed transfer from the Etihad this summer. 

Tuchel will be keen to get deals over the line as soon as possible, which is the aim of the hierarchy, ahead of the pre-season tour across the United States later this month.

Neymar has also been linked with Chelsea, with his representatives contacting the club to see if they would be interested as he considers his Paris Saint-Germain future, amid suggestions that the Ligue 1 side are ready to let him leave. 

As for Raphinha, Chelsea will no doubt want to know in the coming days, as early as possible, over what the 25-year-old’s final decision is - wait for Barcelona, or put on hold his preference of the Camp Nou and put pen to paper at Stamford Bridge for five years.