The Raphinha saga is going to be one of the most interesting transfers in a long time for football enthusiasts and the Leeds faithful with another twist in the tale. As reported earlier, Leeds United rejected a 46 million pounds proposal from FC Barcelona earlier this month after which Raphinha expressed his desire to depart Elland Road last week. Gianluigi Longari has shed some more light on what’s going on with the 25-year-old’s potential departure with the Italian reporting that Manchester United and Arsenal could hijack FC Barcelona’s deal to sign the Brazilian winger.
Despite having their first bid rejected by the Elland Road hierarchy, the Italian journalist claims that the Spaniards still have precedence over any sale. Longari has tweeted a warning to “lookout” for the Premier League duo, who might rush in to attempt and win the blockbuster deal. The Italian noted on his own Twitter account that there are other clubs to monitor than simply Barcelona as this transfer drags on.
🔵🔴#Barcelona:
⁃#Lewandowski accordo totale con l’attaccante si cerca quello con il #Bayern
⁃#Raphinha prima offerta rifiutata dal #Leeds. Il Barça ha priorità ma occhio alla Premier (#Arsenal e #Mufc)
⁃Difesa: primo nome sulla lista #Koulibaly. Da verificare i costi.— Gianluigi Longari (@Glongari) May 25, 2022
“Raphinha – first offer rejected by Leeds,” he wrote. “Barçelona has priority but watch out for the Premier League (Arsenal and Manchester United).”
A win-win situation for Leeds United
With the two English clubs entering the race along with FC Barcelona and other clubs who are monitoring Raphinha, Leeds would benefit from the possible bidding war the clubs could start to sign the Peacocks’ most prized asset Raphinha.
Barcelona has had serious financial problems in recent years, and anything that may raise the price would not sit well in Spain or with Deco, who is clearly fascinated with that move.
Arsenal and Manchester United are both funded by billionaires and could easily pay more. If complications arise at Camp Nou, they might simply step in and offer the Whites more than £50 million to take the Brazilian off their hands. The bidding war would certainly increase the Brazilian’s transfer fee by 15-20 million pounds.
Guaranteeing a Premier League survival in the last minute on the final matchday has resulted in Leeds holding the aces in any potential deal. The Leeds’ hierarchy values the winger at around 70 million and with the possible involvement of the Red Devils and Gunners, they could get a deal done for a fee around that figure and have adequate funds to back Jesse Marsch in the upcoming transfer window.
