Leeds United discover Barcelona's true Raphinha transfer intention after €40m offer - YEP 24/6/22
Barcelona are yet to bid for Leeds United's Raphinha this summer but have turned their attention to another expensive transfer target
By Joe Donnohue
The Camp Nou club have lodged a €40m offer for Bayern Munich
striker Robert Lewandowski, according to Sky Sports, indicating the team's
financial constraints may not be as stringent as initially thought.
Barcelona's current debt obligation exceeds €1 billion while
economic vice president has previously stated this summer that it will take
€500 million to 'save' the club's finances.
However, the Catalan side have flirted with the possibility
of signing both Polish international Lewandowski and Leeds United's Raphinha.
Barcelona had hoped for Leeds to be relegated in order to
purchase the Brazil winger for a knockdown price, but Premier League survival
means the 25-year-old will now cost market value.
The LaLiga giants have repeatedly asserted their interest in
Leeds' talisman but are yet to launch a bid.
Placing a sizeable offer for Lewandowski before any move for
Raphinha outlines Barcelona's true transfer priority.
The club also hope to shave Ousmane Dembele's considerable
earnings from their wage bill this summer as the Frenchman looks set to depart
Camp Nou at the expiry of his contract.
It is plausible the Catalans will return for Raphinha once
re-assessing their finances in the wake of Dembele's departure but the issue of
LaLiga's salary cap still remains.
Should Lewandowski arrive, he will likely become one of
Barcelona's top earners, meaning the savings made on Dembele's exit will be
re-allocated to Lewandowski's deal leaving Barcelona in a similar financial
position.
Meanwhile at Leeds, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claim
this week that patience is wearing thin over Barcelona's perceived
feet-dragging.
Arsenal tabled a low offer for Raphinha earlier this week
which was promptly rejected but are expected to return with a second, improved
offer.