Just in: Barcelona match Chelsea’s offer for Raphinha

According to a report just tweeted out by Ben Jacobs, Barcelona have matched Chelsea’s offer for Leeds United winger Raphinha. The two clubs have been in an intense tug of war to sign the Brazilian all summer, but it seems the scales could now finally move in favour of the Catalan giants.

The new offer Barcelona have submitted offers a lower base fee, but the total package, expected to be somewhere around £65 million (~€75 million), has been equalled.

Following this, Barça have been in advanced talks with Leeds for the past 24 hours, but the Peacocks have not yet accepted the offer. They are, however, pushing for a fast resolution as they want to get the saga over with as soon as possible.

Initially, Joan Laporta was in no hurry to anchor this deal, but Leeds sent several warning signs to the club, especially with Chelsea in a stronger financial position. Raphinha, too, was hoping to decide his final destination in the coming days.

Should Leeds not accept Barça’s offer, presumably due to it being ‘add-on heavy’, Chelsea’s offer will still stand. Raphinha will not wait for the Blaugrana even though they are his dream club.