Barcelona believe they can prise Raphinha away from Leeds and are stepping up their interest in the Brazil star.
Raphinha has set his heart on moving to Barcelona this summer and does not want Leeds to block his dream move.
Mirror Sport understands that the Brazil star feels Leeds should let him go because he played a leading role in their successful survival fight. Raphinha's agent Deco has agreed the outline of a deal with Barcelona for the Samba star to move to the Nou Camp and the biggest sticking point will be his fee.
Leeds want at least £50million for the winger. Barcelona cannot afford to pay this much as they struggle with the fall-out from their financial implosion last summer and are attempting to strengthen their squad on a limited budget.
Raphinha’s escape clause if Leeds had been relegated was worth around £21.2million and Barcelona do not want to pay more than £25million. Leeds have made it clear they will not let Raphinha leave on the cheap and will not entertain such a low figure.
They paid Rennes £17million for Raphinha in October 2020 and his value has rocketed because of his two stellar seasons with Leeds. He scored 11 Premier League goals and had three assists to play a leading role in Leeds’ successful survival bid.
Combined with his tally from his debut campaign, he has 17 Premier League goals and 12 assists, which are eye-catching figures for a wide player. Leeds realises this and he is the perfect age at 25 to command a sizeable transfer fee, while he still has two years left on his Elland Road contract.
He feels he has delivered for Leeds by helping to keep them up and wants him to remember this in their negotiations when Barcelona open official talks. While Leeds will understand Raphinha’s wish to move to Barcelona, they are not going to shortchange themselves, especially when they need to finance their own spending plans.
Aaronson sets in for medical ahead of sealing £28m move
Brenden Aaronson has arrived in Leeds to have his medical ahead of completing his £28million move from Red Bull Salzburg.
The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano claims Leeds have agreed personal terms with the USA midfielder and he is set to become the club's first summer signing and new record transfer.
Salzburg rebuffed Leeds' advances in January, but the clubs agreed to the transfer this summer. Leeds' final-day escape act cleared the final hurdle for Aaronson's transfer to proceed. Aaronson, 21, will be reunited with his fellow American Jesse Marsch at Elland Road and the pair worked together for six months at Salzburg last year.
Two new Premier League suitors for Jack Harrison
West Ham and Everton have joined the race for Jack Harrison, according to 90min .
Harrison has had another fine season for Leeds in difficult circumstances to finish their second top scorer with 10 goals. Newcastle and Tottenham were already interested in him and now West Ham, who he scored a hat-trick against in January, and Everton are tracking him.
Harrison only joined Leeds permanently last summer after three seasons on loan from Manchester City and the Whites will fight hard to hang on to one of their most-consistent performers.
