MX23RW : Thursday, October 31 23:28:29| >> :60:126:126:

Raphinha to snub Liverpool for Barcelona move?

Raphinha to snub Liverpool for Barcelona move?
© Reuters
Leeds United attacker Raphinha reportedly prepares to snub interest from Liverpool in order to sign for Barcelona in the summer transfer window.

Leeds United attacker Raphinha could reportedly snub interest from Liverpool in order to complete a summer switch to Barcelona.

The Brazil international continued his fine form in the 2021-22 season with 11 goals and three assists in 35 Premier League appearances to help the Whites secure survival on the final day.

Raphinha now has 17 goals and 12 assists to boast from 67 appearances in a Leeds shirt since arriving from Rennes in 2020, and his contract at Elland Road runs until the summer of 2024.

A £25m exit clause would have supposedly been activated if Jesse Marsch's side suffered relegation from the top flight last season, but clubs will now have to negotiate a fee with Leeds.

Barcelona and Liverpool have seemingly emerged as the two frontrunners for Raphinha's signature, but a fee in excess of £50m could be required to prise the 25-year-old away from Elland Road.

Leeds United's Raphinha pictured on November 30, 2021© Reuters

Now, Sport claims that Raphinha has earmarked Barcelona as his preferred destination and will snub interest from Liverpool in order to secure a switch to Camp Nou.

The report adds that Raphinha wants to play a leading role in Catalonia under Xavi for the 2022-23 season, and Barca chief Mateu Alemany has flown to the UK for talks with Leeds.

It is claimed that Whites CEO Angus Kinnear is demanding a fee of €65m (£55.5m) to part ways with the former Rennes man, who has already agreed personal terms with Barcelona.

Liverpool were supposedly willing to use Takumi Minamino as part of a deal to bring Raphinha to Anfield, but Jurgen Klopp has seemingly been forced to accept defeat in the race for the Brazilian.

Nevertheless, Raphinha was in no mood to add fuel to the fire surrounding his future after arriving for international duty this month, telling reporters: "I have a contract with Leeds until 2024, so my future is in the hands of Deco and Leeds.

Ousmane Dembele in action for Barcelona in April 2022© Reuters

"My mind is on the national team, on the upcoming matches and on my holidays. I have a contract with Leeds and this issue will have to be discussed with my agent. When something happens, he'll tell me."

Raphinha will seemingly arrive at Barcelona as a replacement for the departing Ousmane Dembele, who is set to leave as a free agent when his Camp Nou contract expires at the end of the month.

Chelsea are believed to be leading the race to sign the France international, who has also been linked with Liverpool amid speculation over a possible exit for Sadio Mane.

The Senegal international has supposedly decided that he wants to seek pastures new in the summer window amid interest from Bayern Munich, whose opening offer of £25m was swiftly rejected by Liverpool.

On the other hand, Mohamed Salah has confirmed that he will not be leaving the club this summer, but Liverpool are running the risk of losing the 29-year-old on a free transfer in 2023.

ID:487546:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5729:

Click here for more stories about Raphinha

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Sadio Mane in action for Liverpool in May 2022
Read Next:
Six players who could replace Sadio Mane at Liverpool
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City97202091123
2Liverpool97111751222
3Arsenal95311710718
4Aston Villa95311611518
5Chelsea95221911817
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton94411612416
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest9441117416
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs94141810813
9Brentford94141818013
10Fulham93331212012
11Bournemouth93331111012
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle9333910-112
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham93241316-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd9324811-311
15Leicester CityLeicester92341317-49
16Everton92341016-69
17Crystal Palace9135611-56
18Ipswich TownIpswich9045920-114
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves90271225-132
20Southampton9018619-131


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!