Leeds United talisman Raphinha could be set for a summer transfer to Barcelona following his last-ditch exploits on the final day of the Premier League season.
According to Sky Sports: Barcelona are set to announce their intentions to sign the Brazilian star next week which would signal bad news for Leeds fans this summer.
A source close to Sky Sports has told them he would be interested in a move to Camp Nou. His agent is former Portugal and Chelsea midfielder Deco, who spent four years at Barca between 2004 and 2008. News of their interest is also not new as they are already monitoring his and the Whites’ situation since March.
Barcelona are expected to formalize their interest in Leeds winger Raphinha in the coming days. Raphinha has two years left on her contract at Leeds and is unlikely to sign a new contract.
A source has told Sky Sports News that Raphinha would like to join Barcelona. The 25-year-old is represented by Deco – friend and former team-mate of Barcelona boss Xavi.
(Going through: www.skysports.com)
His performance in the final game of the 2021-22 campaign helped Leeds United secure their Premier League status, winning and scoring the resulting penalty in victory at Brentford. He gave Jesse Marsch the necessary result that very few expected.
🔥 Raphinha, has told Leeds United directors that he wants to play for Barcelona.
🇧🇷⚪#Leeds 🔵#ForcaBarca https://t.co/RIaIiwN8PS pic.twitter.com/u146bUVbM5— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) May 25, 2022
Raphinha’s links with other Premier League clubs
Raphinha has been linked with a host of top Premier League clubs this season but his form was left wanting ahead of the Brentford game, with the club desperate for inspiration and leadership.
Manchester City have been heavily linked with him with Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea. Any of these three clubs would be a suitable destination, but with Leeds remaining in the top flight, will they want to play them?
A move abroad is probably the decision he leans the most with the above now in play. But the summer has just started and Barcelona have their finances to sort out before they sign any new players.
Before leaving Elland Road, he will be hoping to win the Leeds United Player of the Season award after missing out on the FWA and PFA Premier League Player of the Season awards.
Sunday’s penalty took him to 11 goals, all in the league, ending the campaign as the club’s top scorer, with striker Patrick Bamford and various others missing big chunks of the run through injury .
He has also become a key player for his country in recent months, coming off the bench on his debut for Brazil in October and scoring twice. He hopes to emulate his international co-star Neymar if he moves to Spain where he gets the chance to compete in the Champions League, an opportunity worthy of his talents.
His celebrations with fans in the crowd at Brentford Community Stadium could be a fitting way to end his association with them, having become a fan favorite and a key part of the team’s push over the past two years under former manager Bielsa and American Jesse. March.
