EXCLUSIVE: Barcelona set to win the race to sign Raphinha as they table late bid worth £63m to pip Chelsea to his signature after a cash boost from selling TV rights – with Brazil winger always favouring a move to Nou Camp
- Barcelona appear to have won the summer race for Leeds midfielder Raphinha
- Chelsea and owner Todd Boehly had a bid for the Brazilian accepted last month
- The 25-year-old playmaker was holding out for a move to the Spanish giants
- The switch to Barcelona is expected to be worth £55million plus add-ons
Barcelona appear to have won the race to sign Chelsea target Raphinha.
The Spanish giants are set to land the Leeds United playmaker in a deal worth an overall figure of £63m.
Barcelona has always been the Brazilian’s preferred destination but until recently Chelsea were the only side to meet Leeds’s valuation of £55m, plus £8m add ons.
Barcelona have won the race for Leeds winger Raphinha in a deal worth £55m plus add-ons
However, a late move from the Nou Camp outfit means it is now likely that the player will seal his dream switch.
The news will come as a blow to Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who is close to finalising a deal with Manchester City for Raheem Sterling.
The England man was in London for a medical and is set to join Chelsea in Los Angeles, where they are on a pre-season tour.
Raphinha scored 11 and assisted three in 35 appearances in the Premier League last campaign
City defender Nathan Ake is set to follow Sterling and return to Stamford Bridge.
Financial difficulties – including a reported debt of £508m – have hampered Barcelona’s pursuit of Raphinha.
And with Leeds seeking cash up front, a move to Catalonia had seemed in the balance.
But the selling of television rights has improved matters.
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