Barcelona could sign Leeds United winger for £15m on one condition

Earlier this week, Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari reported that Barcelona were among the clubs interested in signing Leeds United winger Raphinha.

The Brazilian has been one of the Whites’ best players since his arrival from Rennes in 2020. After enjoying a productive debut campaign in England, the 25-year-old has built on it this term, bagging nine goals in all competitions, even though Leeds, as a team, are struggling.

It has led to talks of a potential exit in the summer, with a host of clubs interested in securing his services. Barcelona, too, have emerged as potential suitors for the Brazilian international.

The Catalans have strengthened their attack significantly during the January transfer window. But the departure of Ousmane Dembele at the end of the season will leave a space open in the squad which will need to be filled.

And Raphinha, considering his performances for Leeds over the past 20 months or so, would be a handy acquisition for the Blaugrana. And, as per the latest update from The Telegraph’s Matt Law, the winger could be available for a cut-price fee in the summer.

The journalist claimed that if Leeds United were to get relegated from the Premier League this season, Raphinha could be allowed to leave the club for as little as £15-20 million, which would be a bargain for a player of his quality, with his best years still in front of him.

Leeds are currently 15th in the Premier League table but are just three points clear of the relegation zone. Given their current form, it is very much possible that they slip down in the bottom three in the coming weeks, with manager Marcelo Bielsa himself admitting as much.

However, Barcelona are not the only club interested in the former Rennes winger, though, with Chelsea also being billed as a suitor for the 25-year-old. It will be interesting to see if the Blaugrana decide to pursue the winger or decide to look elsewhere.