A fresh insight into the future of in-demand Leeds United star Raphinha has, on Thursday, been forthcoming.
The name of wide-man Raphinha has, of course, taken its place front and centre in the football headlines for several weeks now.
This comes with the Brazilian international attracting the interest of not only the heavyweights of the Premier League, but European football as a whole.
Initially, it was Spanish powerhouse Barcelona who were viewed as the odds-on favourites to strike a deal for the gifted attacker, with boss Xavi Hernandez desperate for reinforcements on the right flank ahead of the new campaign.
The weeks since, though, have seen both Arsenal and Chelsea, at one point or another, tipped as frontrunners in the Raphinha sweepstakes.
2FN8HYR BURNLEY, UK. MAY 15TH Raphinha at half time during the Premier League match between Burnley and Leeds United at Turf Moor, Burnley on Saturday 15th May 2021. (Credit: Pat Scaasi | MI News) Credit: MI News & Sport /Alamy Live News
And now, as alluded to above, a long-awaited update on the situation has been provided.
The info comes courtesy of the reliable Nizaar Kinsella of The Evening Standard, who assures that it is Chelsea who remain at the front of the queue for Leeds’ star man.
Though Raphinha himself is intent on a move to the Camp Nou, Barcelona’s financial package has thus far fallen well short of the valuation placed on the winger by the powers that be at Elland Road.
In turn, having seen their own £55 million offer accepted, Chelsea expect a definitive conclusion to the ongoing saga to be forthcoming ‘within 24 hours’.
It should also be noted that Arsenal have not yet given up hope of striking a last-gasp deal of their own for Raphinha.
Raphinha is expected to decide his future within 24 hours, with Chelsea favourites and Arsenal not giving up as Barcelona bid stalls
✍️ @NizaarKinsella https://t.co/29SCbTy7IF
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) July 7, 2022
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