The Brazilian international was the subject of a bid from Arsenal last week, although it was not deemed worthy of consideration by Leeds, and the Gunners are expected to have a second go in the coming days.
Chelsea are also among Raphinha‘s admirers, along with Spurs, although there is a strong sense that Barcelona remain the player’s destination of choice despite their financial issues. The Catalan club are yet to make an official bid for Raphinha despite revealing their hand earlier than anyone else currently thought to be in the running. Club president Joan Laporta revealed in a March interview with RAC1 that they were keen on Leeds’ star attacker.
“We have two signings lined up, maybe a centre-back and a midfielder, yes,” he said.
“It could be a central defender and a midfielder, yes. Raphinha, on the other hand, is a great player. We have good reports on him. Deco [Raphinha’s agent] has his job and informs us of details so we don’t make mistakes. And in some cases he has helped us a lot. I want to clarify that Deco’s not paid by the club. He will just help us because he dominates the Brazilian market”.
Despite Deco’s proximity to Barcelona and their clear interest in Raphinha, the only bid to land on the desk at Elland Road has come from an English club.
Orta, who says Chelsea’s regime change will have delayed their activity in the transfer window, believes that the Premier League’s big guns, burned by negative experiences of the foreign market, will turn their attention increasingly to players plying their trade on these shores.
“Chelsea is still undergoing internal reconstruction after the change of ownership and that may slow everything down ,” he told MARCA. “Right now I feel like the greats in England are more focused on home market players. I have a feeling some expensive failed signings from outside England have spawned a little trauma and all the big guys are reviewing their processes.”
Check out the latest Premier League transfer speculation below...
1. Ronaldo going nowhere
Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale and Manchester United expect him to remain at Old Trafford. (Various) | Getty Images
2. Rice not for sale
West Ham remain adamant that Declan Rice is ‘not for sale’ despite interest from Chelsea. (Football.London) | Getty Images
3. Palace near Doucoure deal
Crystal Palace are ‘closing in’ on signing of RC Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure, with a £22.5m deal agreed for Mali international. (RMC) | AFP via Getty Images
4. Toon enquire after Raphinha
Newcastle United have made contact with Leeds United over potentially signing in-demand winger Raphinha. (The Northern Echo) | Getty Images
5. Magpies eye Hazard
Borussia Dortmund will sell Thorgan Hazard to Newcastle United for just £13m. The Toon Army are ‘particularly interested’ in the player. (Sport1) | Getty Images
6. Ilic keen on Premier League move
Brighton target Ivan Ilic is ‘tempted’ by the prospect of a move to the Premier League this summer. (Corriere di Verona) | Getty Images