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| Leeds United's Raphinha vies for possession with Brighton & Hove Albion's Yves Bissouma during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Elland Road on May 15, 2022 in Leeds, United Kingdom. |
Chelsea have reportedly hijacked Arsenal’s pursuit
of Leeds United winger Raphinha, with the winger heading to the Blues for
around £60 Million.
Despite the premier league clubs agreeing to a fee, talks are now ongoing through the player’s side as they look to agree on personal terms.
Arsenal were constantly linked with the winger and
had their opening bid turned down by Leeds, allowing Chelsea to swoop in at the
11th hour. His other suitors, Barcelona, had been priced out of the deal
despite having familiar ties with his agent, Deco.
Raphinha will be Todd Boehly’s
first major signing since taking over Chelsea and reshaping it
according to his own vision.
Leeds, meanwhile, seems to be accumulating capital
to invest in other players having also dealt Kalvin
Phillips to Manchester City.
The winger will not be Chelsea’s only signing as the
club is still in contact with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Ousmane Dembele,
and fellow Brazilian Richarlison.
Sterling wants to be a consistent starter on a team
and sees Chelsea as a perfect place while Manchester City are reportedly happy
to let the winger leave for around a £50 million mark, a figure
similar to Gabriel Jesus.
Their arrivals will spell an end to the services of
Chelsea’s already congested forward line. While Lukaku has returned to Inter
Milan for one season at least, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, and Hakim Ziyech
could be sold to make way for newer recruits.
