Raphinha has been courted by several members of European football's elite whilst representing Leeds United. Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Barcelona are among those with membership to the Champions League cabal who have reportedly expressed an interest in the wide-forward on the back of performances at Elland Road this season.
Late last year, reports in Brazil suggested a deal had been agreed with Bayern Munich over a January transfer but those claims proved to be unfounded, while Chelsea have reportedly held a passing interest. More recently, Barcelona have emerged as firm favourites to secure the Brazilian's signature this summer.
Raphinha's agent Deco is a former Barcelona player, having won the Champions League with the Catalan club in 2006. It has now been suggested by Los Cules' President Joan Laporta that the Leeds talisman's agent is in contact with Barcelona. Speaking to radio station RAC1 on March 28, Laporta mentioned Raphinha by name when discussing summer transfer business.
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"We have two signings lined up, maybe a centre-back and a midfielder, yes. It could be a central defender and a midfielder, yes," Laporta said, discussing players Barcelona were confident would be signed on free transfers at the expiry of their contracts this summer. The 59-year-old did however refuse to name those individuals involved in such deals. Laporta went on to name-check Raphinha, though, indicating a deal is not yet in place, as has been previously implied.
"Raphinha, on the other hand, is a great player. We have good reports on him. Deco has his job and informs us of details so we don't make mistakes. And in some cases he has helped us a lot," the Barcelona chief added. Laporta's unprompted reference to the Leeds United winger all but confirms the LaLiga giants' interest in the player. Sport claimed last week that personal terms had been agreed between Raphinha's representatives and Barcelona, but an agreement was yet to be reached between the two clubs over a transfer.
