Chelsea Set To Learn Raphinha Fate As Frustrated Leeds United Demand Barcelona Decision

Chelsea are set to learn their fate regarding their pursuit of Leeds United star Raphinha in the next 24 hours, according to reports. 

The 25-year-old is yet to make a decision on his future at Leeds United as Chelsea, Barcelona and Arsenal all show interest in the Brazilian. 

Thomas Tuchel’s side have had an offer of £55 million accepted by Leeds for Raphinha, and personal terms have been offered - expected to be in the region of £6 million-a-year.

However, Raphinha and his agent Deco, a former Blues player, have been holding out for Barcelona to make an offer.

Barcelona is suggested to be Raphinha’s preference if they can match Chelsea’s offer for the attacker. 

But no bid has yet arrived from the Spanish club and time is running out after a deadline was set by the Yorkshire club. 

Now, Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard reports that a decision is expected within the next 24 hours, so by the end of Friday (8 July) at the latest over his future. 

Chelsea are claimed to still be the favourites due to being the only team to have an offer accepted by Jesse Marsch’s side. 

Arsenal haven’t given up on a move for the Brazilian, but Chelsea are the frontrunners if Barcelona fail to match their current offer. 

Barcelona president Joan Laporta insisted Raphinha wanted to join and dialogue was being made with all parties involved in the hope of striking a deal. 

“We have communication and have spoken with Leeds,” admitted Laporta last week. 

“What’s there is that there are other clubs that want Raphinha and are making their proposals. 

“He wants to come.”

Leeds are running out of patience with Barcelona, as per Ben Jacobs, who tried to match Chelsea’s offer but with heavy add-ons and instalments. 

They now want an answer urgently, with the Premier League side ready to sell to Chelsea, having also been impressed by co-owner Todd Boehly during negotiations.

Should Chelsea win the race to sign Raphinha, he will join Raheem Sterling at Stamford Bridge after personal terms were agreed to edge him ever closer to sealing a Stamford Bridge transfer.

Chelsea are likely to agree a fee with Manchester City imminently with an announcement hoped to be made before the Blues head across the Atlantic this weekend to the United States for their pre-season training camp and tour. 

Cristiano Ronaldo has also been linked with a move to west London but Manchester United are insisting he is not for sale this summer despite wanting to leave. 

After confirming the arrival of former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen, Laporta said the club would unlikely be able to afford anymore players without another economic lever.

He added: “As long as we don't have the second lever activated, the general rule is that we won't be able to sign any more players, but there can always be some exceptions."