Leeds likely to demand at least £65m for Brazil international
Arsenal want Manchester City’s Jesus as well as Raphinha
Arsenal have had an offer rejected by Leeds for Raphinha but intend to push again to sign the Brazil international amid competition from two other Premier League clubs and Barcelona.
Tottenham have told Leeds they plan to bid – that could arrive this week – and Chelsea’s co-owner Todd Boehly, the interim sporting director, has explored the situation. Barcelona agreed personal terms with the winger months ago but Leeds want far more than the £35m-£40m the Catalan club have in mind.
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It is likely to require at least £65m to convince them to sell. Arsenalhave been interested in the 25?year?old since March and have been in negotiations with Leeds, who bought Raphinha from Rennes for about £17m in October 2020 on a contract to 2024. He scored 11 goals and set up three in the Premier League last season.
Arsenal have strengthened their attacking options by buying Fábio Vieira from Porto for an initial £30m but also want to bring in Raphinha and his international teammate Gabriel Jesus, who is poised to leave Manchester City.
Spurs and Paris Saint-Germain are among others interested in Jesus. But Arsenal are leading the race and are in advanced talks with the player’s agents. If outstanding details are resolved they will look to settle on a fee with City.
It's also their target that Jesus also remains
The Brazilian winger has found himself the subject of intensive speculation this summer. After helping the Whites claim Premier League survival, it seems his appearance in the win at Brentford will be his last in a Leeds shirt. Indeed, speculation over his future has ramped up ever since the final whistle blew and their safety was confirmed.
It’s not hard to see why Raphinha is a man in demand. The 11 goals and three assists he managed for Leeds in 2021/22 effectively ensured their survival single-handedly. He also claimed six goals and nine assists in his debut season at Leeds, making a mockery of his bargain £17m fee.
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