Mueez Ajao
– Barcelona have beaten Chelsea to the signing of Raphinha after reaching an agreement with Leeds United in a deal for the Brazilian winger on Tuesday.
– Sources did not confirm the total cost of the deal, but the fee is thought to be worth over €60 million including add-ons, with the player expected to travel to Barcelona on Wednesday.
– In June Leeds had also accepted an offer from Chelsea for Raphinha, but the player’s desire to move to Barca has allowed the Catalan club to win the race for his signature.
Also Read: Barca win race for Raphinha
– There was also interest from Arsenal, but the Gunners never returned after having an initial bid turned down by Leeds in June.
– Barca’s agreement with Leeds comes following weeks of negotiations, with the Premier League side pushing for a deal similar to the one they agreed with Chelsea worth in excess of €70m.
Raphinha to Barcelona, here we go! Full agreement reached with Leeds after today’s bid accepted: €58m fixed fee plus add-ons up to total €67m package. 🚨🔵🔴 #FCB
Raphinha only wanted Barça since February and he’s set to sign until June 2027, time for documents and contracts. pic.twitter.com/JtLXCXa03e
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 12, 2022
– Sources close to the negotiations previously explained that Barca’s initial offers were not deemed acceptable because they were add-on heavy and in several installments.
Raphinha will sign with Barcelona until June 2027. Five year deal with his agent Deco was agreed almost five months ago – and it made the difference in this crazy saga. 🚨🇧🇷 #FCB
Player already planning travel to Barcelona in order to undergo the medical and sign the contract. pic.twitter.com/NuqRiJIBML
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 12, 2022
– However, with Raphinha prepared to wait for Barca, and his agent, Deco, holding a series of meetings with the club’s sporting director Mateu Alemany to help unblock the situation, the two clubs have finally struck a deal.
– The arrival of Raphinha will not have an effect on Ousmane Dembele’s future. The Frenchman’s contract with Barca expired on June 30, but he was at the training ground on Tuesday ahead of signing a new two-year deal at Camp Nou.
– Dembele will sign his new contract no later than Thursday, with the final documentation currently being reviewed by the club’s legal team.
Ousmane Dembélé has accepted all clauses of the new contract offered by Barcelona. It will be valid until June 2024, lower salary as he wanted to stay… and Xavi really wants him. 🔵🔴🤝 #FCB
Ousmane, in Barcelona today – hopeful to get new deal signed on club side this week. pic.twitter.com/RPOn69jqAG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 11, 2022
Ousmane Dembélé has just landed in Barcelona. He’s back to complete the new contract with Barça, already agreed until June 2024 🚨🛬 #FCB
There’s full agreement still waiting for Barcelona final approval. Ousmane will reduce his salary.@victor_nahe 🎥⤵️pic.twitter.com/ZbYlkQW2EK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 10, 2022
…and here’s Ousmane Dembélé in Barcelona’s dressing room today. He has completed medical tests in the morning at Ciudad Deportiva, then he was with the team. 🔵🔴 #FCB
New deal, to be approved and signed – valid until June 2024. pic.twitter.com/xiB1dWeNBN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 12, 2022
– Raphinha, 25, is a full international with Brazil and played a key role as Leeds secured Premier League survival on the final day of last season.
– His penalty in the win over Brentford was one of 17 goals he scored during two seasons at Elland Road following a €20m move from French side Rennes in 2020.
– He first made the move to Europe in 2018, joining Sporting Lisbon from Vitoria Guimarães and spending one season in Portugal before his move to France.
🎖| Barcelona are expecting Raphinha to show up for the medical tests tomorrow. Barca want to make his signing official as soon as possible as they want him to be a part of the pre-season camp. [@victor_nahe] #fcblive
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) July 12, 2022
🎖| Confirmed. Raphinha will travel to Barcelona tomorrow. [@David_Ornstein] #fcblive ✅
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) July 12, 2022
