After securing at least three additional signings, BARCA are in talks with Leeds United about Raphinha.
Raphinha Raphinha is a top summer target for Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Barcelona's summer recruitment drive is already well underway, with three new players confirmed and talks for others underway. Under Xavi's leadership, Barca appear to be on the rise, and it appears that the change of direction is paying off in the transfer market.
Barcelona signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres, Adama Traore, and Dani Alves in the January transfer window to bolster Xavi's squad. The results of that strategy have been evident, with Barca moving to third position in La Liga after a string of excellent performances.Their improvement was highlighted by their astonishing 4-0 El Clasico victory against Real Madrid just before the international break – a result that is recruiting new players in droves. With the Catalan club's fresh hope, it appears that players are lining up to join.
Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen, as well as AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, have agreed to join the club on free transfers this summer, according to Sport. All three players' contracts with their present teams are set to expire on July 1, and they are expected to join Barcelona.
Azpilicueta and ChristensenBarca are expected to sign Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta on free transfers. (Image courtesy of GETTY)
In the meantime, Ajax full-back Noussair Mazraoui is said to be 'far on his way' to joining the aforementioned trio in Barcelona's summer recruitment drive. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also interested in taking advantage of the 24-year-contract old's with Ajax, which is about to expire.
The list of probable arrivals to Barca this summer does not end there, with Leeds United winger Raphinha a top target. According to the report, Barca and the Brazilian have reached an agreement on contractual conditions and salary.
Mazraoui, NoussairFull-back for Ajax Another Barcelona target is Noussair Mazraoui (Image: GETTY)
Deco, a former Barcelona midfielder, is Raphinha's agent, and their connection is easing the transfer process. The 25-year-old, who has nine goals and three assists in 27 Premier League games this season, will join Barcelona on a five-year deal in the summer. The only remaining issue is the transfer price with Leeds.
Liverpool and Bayern Munich are still interested in signing Raphinha, but they are apparently losing the battle because the midfielder has already pledged his allegiance to Barcelona. He is looking forward to playing under Xavi's guidance and believes that Ousmane Dembele's likely departure would provide him a major role in the club.Leeds United have already turned down a £29 million (€35 million) bid for the winger, who is under contract until June 2024, but Barcelona are 'convinced' that the deal will be completed in the coming weeks. Deco will keep the pressure on Leeds, and the potential of transferring Oscar Mingueza, a 22-year-old centre-back, to Leeds as a makeweight in the trade has been considered.
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After securing at least three additional signings, BARCA are in talks with Leeds United about Raphinha. 
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