Chelsea ‘are keeping an eye on Barcelona star Raphinha’ with the Spanish club ‘seeing the former Leeds winger as a good source of income’ after being told by LaLiga they must raise £178m to comply with rules
Chelsea and Newcastle are both hoping to bring in Raphinha from Barcelona this summer, as the Spanish Giants look to offload players in an effort to ease their financial issues.
The Blues were keen on the winger last summer as it became clear he was unlikely to stay at Leeds, but were beaten to his signature by Xavi’s side in a £50 million move.
Raphinha has since become an important player at the Nou Camp, scoring nine goals in 37 games across all competitions.
He could still be on the move this summer, though, with Spanish outlet Sport reporting that Barca believe they could turn a prophet on the 26-year-old by selling him this summer.
They also report that Chelsea are once again interested in Raphinha, while Newcastle have also joined the race as Eddie Howe looks to add goals to a side that has struggled going forward at times.
Raphinha joined Barcelona last summer but could soon be on the move again
Xavi’s Barcelona are keen to offload players and ‘believe they can turn a prophet on the former Leeds winger’
Barcelona will be desperate to offload players after being told by LaLiga that they need to raise £178m before entering the transfer market this summer.
It comes as the club continue to struggle with their debts, which are still thought to be as high as £1bn despite efforts to improve the situation.
Other stars such as Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati have been linked with moves to the Premier League, but both have insisted they want to stay at Barca.
Despite facing problems off the pitch, Barca’s tight win Over Atheltic Bilbao on Sunday continued their push towards the LaLiga title.
They have now won 11 games 1-0, the most in Europe’s top five leagues, and seem able to grind out results even when they are below their best.
Despite the result, Xavi wanted more from his players, as he said after the game: ‘It is a golden victory for us and we take three very important points. But we have to get better at the game. We have had two or three clear chances in the second half: from Ansu, from [Robert] Lewandowski with a header.
Both Graham Potter’s Chelsea and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle are keen on the 26-year-old
‘We have to improve in that aspect, be calmer and more patient and play more in the opposite field. Defensive solvency must also be valued, but it is true that we have to improve in the opposite field.’
Xavi’s side will play a key El Clasico clash on Sunday. A win would put them 12 points clear at the top of La Liga with just 12 games left to play.
With No European football to contend with after their Europa League exit to Manchester United, such a lead could tie up the title race before the end of March.
Real will next be in action when they look to defend a 5-2 Champions League advantage over Liverpool in the second leg of their last 16 tie on Wednesday.
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