Barcelona have their eyes sights on Leeds United star Raphinha for the summer, according to multiple claims coming from Spain.
‘Objective Raphinha’ is written in bold on the front page of today’s Sport as the Whites winger has emerged as a possible candidate to replace Ousmane Dembélé at the Camp Nou.
The Frenchman’s contract with the La Liga side runs down in June and as things stand, he will leave them as a free agent after this season. Faced with this possibility, Xavi has given his approval to sign a new winger.
Barca started looking at the Brazil international when they were negotiating Dembélé’s renewal and are pleased with what they saw from Jesse Marsch’s man, who is managed by former Blaugrana player, Deco.
The agent, who put his client’s name on the Catalan club’s table at the start of this term, told Barca the player will not sign a new deal at Elland Road and would look to leave the Premier League side at the end of the season.
Sport point outs Raphinha has a €75m release clause, but that will drop down to €25m, if Leeds are relegated to the Championship.
Leeds are 16th in the table with 29 points after 30 games, seven points ahead of 18th placed Watford, who have a game in hand.
