Before Raphinha transferred from Leeds United to Barcelona last summer, Chelsea tried to sign him.
The winger has had a successful first season in Spain, scoring 10 goals and dishing out 11 assists in 45 games.
On the last page of today’s Sport, journalist Rubén Ura claims that Chelsea are once again interested in signing the 26-year-old. In fact, he claims that the Blues are ‘on pole’ to sign him.
While the La Liga team is happy with his performances thus far, the door to exit will be opened for him in the following window. If they were to get a bid of about €80m, they would approve the player’s sale.
Chelsea is mentioned as one of his suitors on the front page of Sport, where this is also highlighted.
According to reports, both Newcastle United and the west London club have entered the bidding for the South American and want to “open formal negotiations immediately.” Both the Catalan club and the player want to maximise their financial gains from the talks.
In order to renew a few of their current players’ contracts and make new acquisitions, Barca is “obligated to sell.” The sale of Raphinha might be “vital” to their ability to complete the new project.
According to Sport, the attacker is ‘on track’ to move to the Premier League, and Chelsea is ‘on pole’ to sign him in the summer.
Although the Blues have stepped up their bid for the Brazilian, the two reports don’t make it clear whether they are prepared to meet Barcelona’s €80 million asking price.
