Raphinha could be on his way to Stamford Bridge this summer with Chelsea now leading the race for the winger after agreeing a fee with Leeds United. The London-based club took pole position after tabling a bid worth up to £65million, according to the Athletic, and will now work on personal terms with the winger in a bid to secure the deal swiftly.
Chelsea’s decisive move, funded by new owner Todd Boehly who - after the departures of sporting director Marina Granovskaia and Petr Cech - has taken a very hands on approach to Chelsea’s transfer business, has catapulted the Blues above Barcelona, Arsenal and Tottenham.
That is due mainly to the speed at which the club have come close to Leeds’ valuation of their man. Barcelona, despite being Raphinha’s preferred destination, were either unable or unwilling to budge from their £35million stance, while Arsenal’s opening bid last Tuesday was some way off and swiftly rejected.
