A recent AS article provided an update on Barcelona's pursuit of Raphinha. The Leeds United winger has emerged as one of the club's top targets, with many seeing him as a perfect replacement for Ousmane Dembele, who is set to leave at the end of the season.
The present contract of the Frenchman at Camp Nou expires at the conclusion of the season. Although his improved form and strong connection with Xavi have persuaded the player to agree to a contract extension, Barça would still have to pay a high salary for his services.
It has prompted Barcelona to intensify their chase of Raphinha, with AS reporting that the club is willing to sacrifice up to three players as part of the operation.
Sergino Dest, Clement Lenglet, and Antonio Mingueza are three players that might be used as makeweights in a deal to capture Raphinha. Barcelona will not pay the Brazilian international's asking price of roughly €50 million.
Mingueza is understood to be a significant target for Leeds, with Barcelona wanting to approve a loan transfer to Elland Road.
It's also not shocking that the club wants to get rid of Lenglet. While Dest has a greater standing in the squad, his departure might make sense given the club's expected acquisition of Ajax's defensive star Noussair Mazraoui.
According to the report, Barcelona's pursuit of Raphinha is unrelated to Dembele's future. It appears that the club views the Leeds United star as a different creature who will compete with the Frenchman if they both join Barça next season.
Instead, if Raphinha joins and Dembele renews his contract, Adama Traore might be cut in the summer. Since coming to Camp Nou in January, the on-loan Wolves player has made a good start to his second term.
However, if Barcelona also signs the Leeds star, he will become surplus to requirements and may return to his original club. Tottenham Hotspur, who missed out on Adama in January, are already planning a summer move for him.
The Blaugrana have the option of permanently signing the Spanish international for a cost of €24 million, which they do not intend to exercise. Instead, the Catalans will try to work out a trade including Francisco Trincao.
If Wolves do not accept that proposition, his future at Camp Nou is already in jeopardy. And if the Catalan giants sign Raphinha, Adama's time in Barcelona would undoubtedly come to an end.
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