Arsenal to make new Raphinha offer after Leeds rejected their opening bid that fell short of their £65m valuation – but the in-demand winger is holding out for a Barcelona move, as Chelsea and Tottenham also monitor situation
- Arsenal have failed to meet Leeds United’s £65million demand for Raphinha
- The winger is keen on a move but Barcelona is his first choice this summer
- However, the Nou Camp outfit are struggling to make the finances work on a bid
- Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur continue to monitor situation with interest
Leeds United have rejected Arsenal‘s opening bid for Raphinha and want £65million for the winger.
Arsenal’s opening offer was deemed well short of Leeds’ valuation for the 25-year-old but they will return with a revised bid.
The Brazilian has interest from Barcelona, his preferred club, Chelsea and Tottenham, who are also expected to bid this week, but the valuation is prohibitive.
Leeds United forward Raphinha is a major transfer target for many clubs this summer
However, the Leeds star will have to be patient if he wishes to move to the Nou Camp due to financial constraints hanging over the team.
According to Marca, Barca have reacted with calm to Arsenal’s approach as they weigh up potential options and moves elsewhere.
One of those involves the future of forward Ousmane Dembele who is out of contract next week.
Barca are unlikely to be able to afford both on their books but are still open to a new deal for the Frenchman.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has seen his side already have a bid rejected for the Brazil star
Barcelona are also interested but are still waiting on the future of Ousmane Dembele
Chelsea have been linked with a move to Dembele but like Barcelona have been since the end of 2021 have been left frustrated by the lack of clarity on where Dembele would like to be in the future.
Leeds have been actively looking for replacements with PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo and Wolves’ Adama Traore among those they are considering. Another name they like is Charles De Ketelaere, 21, from Bruges who has also attracted interest from Leicester and AC Milan.
Leeds forward Ryan Edmondson, meanwhile, has joined Carlisle United while Arsenal striker Tyreece John-Jules, 21, has joined Ipswich Town on loan.
