Leeds and Chelsea growing impatient with Barcelona as Raphinha talks drag on

Journalist Ben Jacobs has been at the heart of the Raphinha saga alongside Leeds United, Chelsea, and Barcelona. He has provided daily updates on the tussle between the three clubs, and has come up with another important update today.

He says that Leeds are growing impatient with Barcelona, while Chelsea push them for an answer regarding the deal.

Barcelona have tried to match Chelsea’s offer of €70-75 million for the Brazilian, but it’s ‘add-on heavy and instalment-based’.

Joan Laporta and co. know that Raphinha prefers a move to Barcelona, and had reached an agreement on personal terms with the player in March itself.

While they remain confident about signing him, Raphinha would much rather move to Chelsea over staying at Leeds, even if it means foregoing his dream.

In fact, the Lilywhites prefer to send the player to Stamford Bridge. Not only is their offer higher, and presumably, all upfront, but the new owner Todd Boehly has ‘impressed’ the Leeds officials during negotiations.

Leeds do not want to wait all Sumer or beyond to offload Raphinha, and have already signed Luis Sinisterra to replace the winger. Barcelona, meanwhile, continue to hope that they soften their stance.

Key days ahead.