Leeds United correspondent Graham Smyth has claimed it is ‘very possible’ that Raphinha completes a move to Barcelona this summer.
The Lowdown: Personal terms agreed
Raphinha’s current deal at Elland Road runs until 2024, and the winger has received plenty of attention in recent months following his starring displays in Yorkshire this season.
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According to a recent report by Spanish publication Sport (translated by TEAMtalk), Barcelona have submitted a £29m offer for the 25-year-old and personal terms have already been agreed ahead of a potential switch to the Catalan giants.
The winger is thought to be open to moving to Barcelona, with agent Deco in talks over a summer transfer.
The Latest: Smyth’s update
Smyth took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, claiming a move to the Nou Camp for the Brazilian is ‘very possible’, but not for the ‘sum being bandied around’.
He added in a story for The Yorkshire Evening Post that Raphinha doesn’t have a buy-out clause in his current contract and that Leeds are aware of Barcelona’s interest but are yet to receive a formal offer.
The Verdict: Safety crucial
Smyth added that it has not been confirmed if Raphinha has a relegation clause, with reports suggesting the wide man could leave for just over £20m if the Whites drop down back to the Championship.
If they do suffer relegation, then you’d expect there’s a 99.9% per cent chance that Raphinha will leave Elland Road, possibly for a knockdown fee. It's just simply unreasonable to think a player of his talent would ply his trade in the second tier.
Therefore, it is crucial that the club remains in the top flight, and Raphinha, like he has all season, could play a key role over the coming weeks before securing a big-money exit in the summer.
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