Mighty Leeds Weblog

By Simon Stone Barcelona are still to register any new players before this weekend's La Liga opener with Rayo Vallecano. Barca have been wrestling with severe financial issues, which need to be addressed to comply with La Liga's strict financial regulations. In effect that has meant the Catalan giants have sold off huge amounts of their future income in order to comply and register new players. That includes striker Robert Lewandowski and forward Raphinha. As well as Poland international Lewandowski from Bayern Munich and Brazilian Raphinha from Leeds, the club have also signed defenders Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen and midfielder Franck Kessie. However, Barcelona are still to satisfy La Liga and are now working on activating what is being referred to as a fourth 'financial lever', a significant stake in their Barca Studios commercial arm, in order to comply. In addition, long-serving defender Gerard Pique has taken a pay cut. La Liga believe the...

LEEDS UNITED winger Raphinha has completed his move to Spanish giants Barcelona. By Leon Wobschall Barca have agreed a £55m deal with Leeds – with around £50m up front with future add-ons – for the 25-year-old, who was unveiled in the Catalan city on Friday lunch-time. A statement from Leeds read: "The 25-year-old leaves Leeds United having made 67 appearances for the Whites across all competitions, having scored 17 goals. We would like to place on record our sincere gratitude to Raphinha for his effort and contribution whilst at the football club. "He showed unquestionable commitment and professionalism until the very end of his time at Elland Road and his celebrations at the Brentford Community Stadium will live long in the memory. "Everyone at Leeds United would like to wish Raphinha the very best for the future and hope he enjoys great success at the Nou Camp and throughout his career." Raphinha becomes Barca’s third signing of the window, after they...

Winger has dreamed of Camp Nou after his musician father struck up a friendship with one of the club’s Brazilian greats David Hytner To understand why the old line about the dream move scarcely covers it for Raphinha and his family, it is necessary to go back. To when he was a kid in the Restinga neighbourhood of Porto Alegre in Brazil and his father, Rafael, was a part of a band called Samba Tri, playing tantan and rebolo, which are types of drum. The local hero was Ronaldinho, who had made his way through the youth ranks at Grêmio and whose love of football was mirrored by his passion for music. Ronaldinho was a friend of Rafael’s and a huge fan of Samba Tri, who took their name from a southern Brazilian expression; tri translates as super cool. When Ronaldinho’s career took him to Paris Saint-Germain as a 21-year-old in 2001 and then on to that golden spell with Barcelona before a European swansong at Milan, he would fly the band over each year to help him celebrate his birt...

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 them...

Leeds United have reached an ‘agreement in principle’ for the sale of Raphinha to LaLiga giants Barcelona By Joe Donnohue Raphinha is set to become a Barcelona player this week after an agreement was reached with Leeds United for a £55 million transfer. The Brazil international will complete his dream move, subject to a medical in Spain taking place today, becoming Leeds’ record sale. The YEP understands Leeds will receive the bulk of Raphinha’s fee up front, totalling somewhere in the region of £50 million with ‘significant add-ons’ to be paid at a later date. Interest from Chelsea and Arsenal has subsided in recent days after it was made clear Raphinha’s preferred move was the Catalan club. It is not thought there will be a snag in negotiations over personal terms with the 25-year-old content delegating to agent and former Barcelona midfielder Deco. Raphinha will fly out for a medical today with a view to completing his transfer this week. A brief statement from Leeds...

By Adam Pope Raphinha scored the opener from the penalty spot in Leeds' final game of last season, when they won at Brentford to preserve their top-flight status Leeds United forward Raphinha is set to join Barcelona after the two clubs agreed a deal. The move for the 25-year-old Brazil playmaker is reportedly worth an initial 58m euros (£49m). Both clubs announced "an agreement in principle" had been reached, pending the player passing a medical. In two seasons at Elland Road Raphinha played in 65 Premier League games, scoring 17 goals and providing 12 assists. Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch had earlier confirmed the player was leaving. "I'm hopeful for him to get this deal done because I know it's his dream to play for Barcelona," Marsch said during the club's tour of Australia. The player looked set for a move to Chelsea before Barcelona expressed interest in him. "Hello, Culers! This is Raphinha and I'm in Barcelona!...

James Marshment Barcelona and Leeds are widely reported to have finally agreed terms over the Raphinha transfer – and the long-running saga could finally come to a close this week. The Brazilian star has been the subject of intense speculation all summer and the chase for his signature long and hard. After lighting up Elland Road for the past two seasons, he has made no secret of his desire to play at a higher level. Alongside his agent Deco, the two men have always been clear that Barcelona was their first choice. Agreeing that deal, though, has been far from easy. Barcelona’s crippling debts, together with Leeds’ £65m valuation of their star, ensured they were, at times, miles apart on his price. Indeed, their first offer back in May comprised just £46.7m (€55m) – some £19m short of Leeds’ asking price. Their inability to reach a deal also allowed other suitors to come sniffing. Arsenal’s interest was quickly dismissed out of hand; a lack of Champions League football costin...

EXCLUSIVE: Barcelona set to win the race to sign Raphinha from Leeds as they table late bid worth £63m to pip Chelsea to his signature after receiving a cash boost from selling TV rights - with the Brazil winger always favouring a move to Nou Camp Barcelona appear to have won the summer race for Leeds midfielder Raphinha Chelsea and owner Todd Boehly had a bid for the Brazilian accepted last month The 25-year-old playmaker was holding out for a move to the Spanish giants The switch to Barcelona is expected to be worth £55million plus add-ons By MIKE KEEGAN Barcelona appear to have won the race to sign Chelsea target Raphinha. The Spanish giants are set to land the Leeds United playmaker in a deal worth an overall figure of £63m. Barcelona has always been the Brazilian’s preferred destination but until recently Chelsea were the only side to meet Leeds’s valuation of £55m, plus £8m add ons. However, a late move from the Nou Camp outfit means it is now likely that the pl...

James Marshment The long-running Raphinha transfer saga looks likely to soon reach a climax amid reports that his future will be decided in the next 48 hours. The Brazil winger has lit up Elland Road since his £17m move to Elland Road in October 2020. In his 65 games for Leeds, Raphinha has 17 goals and 12 assists – a goal involvement every 2.2 matches. As such, it’s little wonder to see speculation over his future take up plenty of column inches this summer. However, amid the ongoing speculation, Raphinha’s desire to move to Barcelona has always been evident from the off. With the aid of his agent Deco, the two men have made it their agenda to secure the 25-year-old’s transfer to the Nou Camp. Sealing the deal, though, has been far from easy. Leeds have stuck vehemently to their £65m valuation over the player. And coupled with Barcelona’s crippling debts, reaching an agreement has been far from easy. Indeed, that hesitation has allowed Premier League suitors to show their ha...

Leeds confirm Raphinha is not in the squad for their pre-season tour after asking to miss the trip to Australia to resolve his future after his preferred club Barcelona make an improved offer - but the Spanish club are still short of Chelsea's £60m bid Leeds have confirmed Raphinha is not on their pre-season tour to Australia The winger has stayed behind as he tries to resolve his future this summer The 25-year-old's preferred club Barcelona have made an improved offer But it still falls short of Chelsea's bid of £55m plus add-ons which was accepted By SIMON JONES Leeds have confirmed Raphinha is not on their tour to Australia as he tries to sort out his future. Barcelona, his preferred club made an improved offer on Friday but it still falls short of Chelsea's bid of £55million plus add-ons which was accepted by Leeds. Leeds have departed for their tour to Australia but Raphinha is not part of the 26-man travelling party. Jesse Marsch's side play ...

Arsenal looked set to land Leeds United winger Raphinha before Chelsea’s timely intervention this week By Joe Donnohue This time last week Raphinha to Arsenal was gathering pace. The Gunners had lodged an offer with Leeds which was duly turned down, United 'baffled' by the approach given their cordial relationship with the north London club. Arsenal's bid was too low to even consider, but it was a watershed moment, one which set the ball rolling and crucially has jerked other suitors into action. Seven days later and Leeds are on the verge of agreeing a fee in the region of £55-60 million with Chelsea for the Brazilian's services. Prior to Arsenal's bid, it was said that Raphinha's preferred destination were he to stay in England would have been the Blues due to the lure of Champions League football. After surgery at boardroom level, flirtatious courting of Manchester City's Raheem Sterling and fluttering their eyelids at departing Barcelona winger...

CHELSEA have already agreed a deal with Leeds for Raphinha but Barcelona are not giving up on the Brazilian just yet... By RYAN TAYLOR Barcelona are looking to hijack Chelsea's deal to sign Leeds winger Raphinha after holding face-to-face talks with his agent Deco on Wednesday. The Blues have struck a £60million agreement with Elland Road chiefs for the Brazilian, who has been given the green light to discuss personal terms with new owner Todd Boehly and Thomas Tuchel. But it appears a move to Stamford Bridge is still no foregone conclusion as one of the biggest transfer sagas of the summer takes another unexpected twist. Raphinha is understood to favour joining Barcelona after already agreeing personal terms with the Catalan giants and they hastily called in his representative Deco for face-to-face talks to discuss the prospect of hijacking Chelsea's move. Barca remain hampered by financial difficulties off the field but still, they seem set on finding the cash to fu...

Chelsea gatecrash Arsenal's bid to sign Raphinha and agree £60m deal for Leeds winger, with player's agent and ex-Blues star Deco at the heart of talks as they usurp London rivals at the 11th hour Chelsea have made an offer of £60million for Leeds United winger Raphinha Arsenal held talks with Leeds after their initial offer for Raphinha was rejected The 25-year-old now seems set to move to Stamford Bridge this summer Chelsea also want to sign winger Raheem Sterling from Manchester City By SIMON JONES and SAMI MOKBEL Chelsea on Tuesday gatecrashed Arsenal's bid to sign Raphinha from Leeds United with a £60million offer. Talks are advancing after Leeds accepted a bid of £55m plus add-ons with former Chelsea midfielder Deco, Raphinha's agent, at the heart of negotiations. On a frantic day, Arsenal held talks with Leeds after their initial offer of £30m plus add-ons was rejected last week and put forward a new proposal but they did not come close to Chelsea...

The Gunners are set to return with an improved offer for Leeds United talisman Raphinha By Joe Donnohue Arsenal are now said to be in pole position to sign Leeds United winger Raphinha, according to a new report in The Athletic. The Whites are braced for an improved offer from the north London club after Arsenal's opening bid was rejected earlier this week. Raphinha has entrusted his representatives with his future but is not expected to sign a new deal at Elland Road in light of interest from the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona. The Catalan club's £34.2 million bid for Robert Lewandowski in the past few days indicates where Barcelona's transfer priorities lie, leading Arsenal to believe they are in a commanding position to land Raphinha's signature this window. Fellow London clubs Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a passing interest in the Brazil international, however other players remain the Blues and Spurs' primary targets. Leeds v...

French side Stade Rennais could be in line to receive a cash windfall this summer if Leeds United sell Raphinha for a sizeable fee By Joe Donnohue Arsenal and Barcelona are among the clubs strongly linked with a move for Leeds talisman Raphinha. However, the pair may be required to pay in excess of what they deem an appropriate fee due to a sell-on clause included in Raphinha's contract according to Rennes executive director Olivier Cloarec. "Yes, there are bonuses that continue throughout their contract and, possibly, if there are transfers from the current club to other clubs." "Yes, it is in the millions,” he said to TVR, when pressed on the value of the sell-on clauses, as quoted by FootMercato. Cloarec also referenced former Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga's move to Real Madrid, but the decision to list Raphinha's Leeds switch alongside the €40m Madrid transfer suggests the add-ons owed to the French club could be significant. For that ...

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 launc...

All the latest Leeds United transfer news and rumours as Jesse Marsch and the club’s recruitment staff negotiate the summer transfer window. By Jamie Kemble Leeds United are already making plenty of progress on their summer plans. Jesse Marsch has already snapped up a number of new signings, including highly-rated USA international Brenden Aaronson. But it will be potential exits that are concerning Marsch and Victor Orta, with key stars Kalvin Phillips being linked with moves away this summer. If either or both of those players leave this summer, Leeds could be left with almighty gaps to fill, and that’s likely causing a headache or two behind the scenes. It’s something the club must navigate as they look to strengthen ahead of the new season, and strengthen they must after coming all too close to relegation last season. With all that in mind, we have rounded up all the latest transfer news and rumours surrounding Elland Road. Raphinha latest Arsenal chief Edu is now...

Raphinha is the subject of reported transfer interest from Spanish side FC Barcelona ahead of a prospective summer move By Joe Donnohue The Brazilian is expected to leave Elland Road this summer as elite suitors such as Catalan giants Barcelona hold a credible interest in the player. Raphinha has entertained Premier League audiences for the past two seasons whilst contracted to Leeds United and whilst the 25-year-old's deal does run until 2024, it is not anticipated that he will sign an extension this summer as previously thought. Instead, it seems Raphinha's future lies elsewhere and the prospect of a move to LaLiga outfit Barcelona may prove too enticing for the player and his representatives to turn down. Los Cules have found it difficult to balance their finances over the past couple of seasons with players such as Gerard Pique taking voluntary pay-cuts in order to permit Barcelona to register new additions. This summer, the club's General Assembly voted to ...

Posted by Jamie Kemble Barcelona are still working on a deal to sign Leeds United star Raphinha. The Brazilian winger is a man in demand this summer after an impressive season, helping the Whites to beat the drop. Raphinha scored 11 goals and impressed to catch the attention of a number of clubs, including, apparently, Barcelona. The winger is being heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou, and Barca appear to be in a position to pull the deal off, despite financial issues. The Blaugrana members voted last week to approve the sale of 49.5% of the club’s merchandising sector, while also offloading 20% of future television rights. Those deals. which still need to be done, will bring in the amount of cash needed for Barcelona to pull off transfer. And it seems Raphinha will be one of their priorities, with Sport reporting that talks are ongoing with Leeds United. The report claims Mateu Alemany has set a new meeting with Whites chief Victor Orta for this week. But there is...