Barcelona make £42m ‘final offer’ to Leeds for Raphinha transfer and hope agent Deco can convince them to sell star man
BARCELONA have reportedly made a final offer to Leeds to prise away Raphinha from Elland Road.
The Spanish side had an initial bid of £29million for the Brazilian knocked back by Leeds on Saturday with the Premier League side insisting they won't take any less than the £62.5m release clause in his contract.
But undeterred, Barca have returned with a new and improved bid of £42m to entice the Yorkshire outfit into selling their prized midfield asset, according to .
But Barca only plan on coughing up £34m initially, before paying the rest in add-ons, SPORT claim.
And the Catalan giants don't intend on spending a penny more on Raphinha despite their eagerness to bring him to the Nou Camp this summer.
They also hope to use the Leeds ace's agent Deco to help persuade the Prem outfit to do business with them, SPORT go on to state.
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Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed Barca's plan to use Deco to their advantage as he's got a hold over the Brazilian market.
But Romano also reported that Barca's chief Joan Laporta made it clear that Deco won't benefit financially if he's successful in getting Raphinha to the Nou Camp.
The former Portugal star spent four years at the Nou Camp as a player and still works as a South America scout for the Spaniards.
And SPORT also claim that Raphinha has already agreed personal terms with Xavi's side.
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The Spanish publication allege that the 25-year-old has worked out a deal with Barca that will see him remain at the club on a five-year contract.
The news will come as a bitter blow to Liverpool and Chelsea who are also keen on the Brazilian playmaker.
It was reported that the Blues were in pole position to land Raphinha before Roman Abramovich was sanctioned for Russia's invasion of Ukraine along with several other oligarchs.
No new players can be signed while Abramovich is still owner at Stamford Bridge - meaning the West Londoners had to pull the plug on their pursuit for Raphinha.