Leeds United have reportedly issued an ultimatum to Barcelona to improve their offer for Raphinha as Chelsea await to sign the Brazilian winger.
According to SPORT, Leeds United have issued an ultimatum to La Liga giants Barcelona over their pursuit of Raphinha. With the Whites eager to close the deal for the departure of the Brazilian, they have informed the Blaugrana to improve their offer or see the winger join other interested parties.
Raphinha has sparked quite the transfer war this summer, with the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea and Arsenal chasing his services. Arsenal have had a bid rejected for the 25-year-old but remain in conversations. Meanwhile, Chelsea saw their offer of around €75 million (€60 million) get accepted by Leeds, with a full agreement in place between the two clubs.
However, the move has stalled as Raphinha has his heart set on a transfer to Barcelona, with whom he has already agreed personal terms. Following Chelsea’s bid, Barcelona made an eleventh-hour proposal for the former Sporting CP and Rennes winger but the bid is still short of what Leeds have been offered by Chelsea.
Even though reports claimed that the Blaugrana had made a breakthrough over a €60 million deal, that does not seem to be the case as Leeds are yet to accept any offer from the Catalan heavyweights.
And as per the report, Leeds have now sent a warning to Barcelona that they need to present an improved offer soon as they intend to close the deal for Raphinha at the earliest. The urgency has only increased after the Whites agreed a deal to sign Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord as a replacement for the Brazilian talisman.
As for Barcelona, club president Joan Laporta acknowledged their interest in Raphinha and revealed that talks had been taking place between themselves and Leeds over a transfer. However, according to SPORT, the Premier League club’s demands continue to be out of their reach.
Despite that, Barcelona are still prioritising a move for the former Rennes ace. The winger is intent on a transfer to Camp Nou, which is becoming an issue for Leeds as the Blaugrana are nowhere close to matching the offer from Chelsea. Whether Xavi Hernandez’s side respond to the Whites’ ultimatum or play the waiting game in hope that they accept the current offer remains to be seen.
