Barcelona have begun looking into alternatives to Leeds United winger Raphinha according to reports in Spain and could sign Angel Di Maria as a short-term fix. The 34-year-old will be a free agent after running down his contract at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the month, and reportedly wants a one-year deal with a European club before ending his career in Argentina.
Barcelona have made Raphinha their priority target for the summer but their negotiations have stalled amid Leeds’ firm stance. The Whites have set a price tag of £60-70 million and will not accept an offer of instalments - demands which a financially-stricken Barcelona may struggle to meet.
And now Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo report that they may now target free agent Di Maria on a one-year contract, using the former Manchester United man as a stop-gap before coming back in for Raphinha next summer. “Barça will not make an extra effort to try to retain Dembélé and right now the option of Raphinha, which was the priority, has been complicated by Leeds' high financial claims.” They wrote.
