Barcelona president makes Raphinha announcement after fee agreed with Leeds United - YEP 13/7/22
Joan Laporta has told Spanish radio station COPE he expects Barcelona to confirm the signing of Raphinha this week
By Joe Donnohue
Raphinha is expected to be unveiled as a Barcelona player
this Friday, according to club president Joan Laporta.
Speaking to local radio stations, the club official said:
“This week we will present Dembele’s [contract] renewal and Raphinha.”
It remains unclear whether Barcelona will yet be able to
register Raphinha or Ousmane Dembele given LaLiga’s salary restrictions and the
Catalan club’s level of debt.
However, a fee has been agreed between Leeds and the Camp
Nou side, understood to be £55 million with around £50 million of that figure
being paid up front, per United’s demands.
Raphinha is flying to Spain in order to undergo a medical
with Los Cules and is expected to agree personal terms.
Barcelona’s acquisition of the Leeds forward puts an end to
one of this summer transfer window’s longest-running sagas, as Arsenal and
Chelsea brace themselves for losing out on the player both made separate bids
for.
The LaLiga giants are expected to formally announce
Dembele’s contract extension – on vastly reduced terms – this Thursday,
followed by a Raphinha unveiling on Friday, July 15.
