Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembélé’s current deal expires in June and his decision so far not to renew means he will leave the Camp Nou as a free agent in the summer.
The situation with the Frenchman has seen the La Liga side to look at potential candidates to replace him and one among them is Leeds United’s Raphinha.
This is according to AS on Wednesday, who state the Whites star is one of the names the Catalan club’s sporting leaders are considering.
Jesse Marsch’s man is represented by Deco and the former Barcelona man has close ties with Joan Laporta. The report says this factor could open the door for the 25-year-old to arrive at the Camp Nou.
Despite the Blaugrana having the Brazil international on their transfer agenda, they are not in the position to meet his fee demands.
AS points out the attacker has an €80m release clause and it will be reduced to €35m, in the event Leeds were to be relegated to the Championship.
It’s said the €35m fee is ‘very expensive’ and ‘still considered high’ for Xavi Hernández’s side.
The majority of the claims made by AS are also relayed by Mundo Deportivo.
They state the Spanish giants are aware of the player’s situation through his agent. Barca must ‘first assess what happens’ to Adama Traoré [on loan from Wolves] and Dembélé, before making an approach for the South American.
When comparing it with AS, Mundo have a different figures to Raphinha’s release clause. They say it’s set at €75m and will drop to €25m, if Leeds fail to stay in the top flight. It’s claimed the €25m figure is something Barcelona could pay. 
Leeds are 16th in the table with 29 points after 30 games and are seven points ahead of 18th place Watford, who have a game in hand.
Mundo explain Marsch’s side would not be willing to lower their claims for Raphinha, if they continue in the Premier League.
If Barcelona truly consider €35m very high for Raphinha then they clearly have naivety about the situation.
