New asking price by Leeds has negatively impacted Barcelona’s chances of signing Raphinha

Leeds United’s survival from the threat of relegation from the Premier League is having adverse effects on Barcelona’s transfer plans heading into the summer window.

The Catalan giants were plotting a swoop for Leeds winger Raphinha and would have stood a chance of signing him for a fee of just €25 million if the Whites had gotten relegated from the Premier League.

However, now that they have retained their status as a top-flight club for another season the €25 million price tag is out of the window. Instead, Leeds United are now demanding a sum of €55 million plus variables for Raphinha from Barcelona.

It has led to complications for the Catalan giants, who are now rethinking their pursuit of the 25-year-old Brazilian international, reports Relevo.

As per the report, the Leeds United winger continues to remain on the agenda for Barcelona but is now seen as less of a priority than before due to the increased price tag. Given the club’s financial situation, such a stance is understandable.

Furthermore, what complicates matters for Barça is that Raphinha is attracting interest from several other clubs in the Premier League who are in a much healthier financial state, meaning they have a better chance of landing the winger than the Catalan giants.

Raphinha has been a huge success at Leeds United since arriving from Rennes in 2020. The 25-year-old played a key role in the Whites staying in the Premier League in their first season back in the top-flight in 2020/21 and was once again crucial to their survival in the recently concluded campaign.

With Ousmane Dembele on his way out, Barcelona had identified the Brazilian as a top candidate to replace him and were confident of landing him.

However, the increased valuation and interest from other clubs in England could hamper the Catalans’ chance of landing Raphinha.