Raphinha Set To Arrive At FC Barcelona On Monday As New Signing From Leeds United

Raphinha could arrive at FC Barcelona on Monday with the Catalans in the final stage of transfer negotiations with his club Leeds United.

The Brazil international is Barca’s top target for the right wing this summer, and has chosen to ply his trade for the Blaugrana and reject all other offers despite concrete interest from the likes of Chelsea.

Before the weekend, Barca launched their final bid of €55mn ($56mn) for Raphinha. And while this is obviously lower than Chelsea’s £55mn ($66mn) bid made last week, it is now believed that Barca’s proposal will reach that amount with add-ons.

In any event, SPORT claim that Leeds United and Barca are already in the final stages of their talks and a full agreement could be struck at any moment this weekend.

These circumstances could therefore result in Raphinha landing in Catalonia as soon as Monday to complete his medical, sign his contract and then later be presented at Camp Nou.

Raphinha is expected to pen a five-year deal with the La Liga giants, and will become first team coach Xavi Hernandez’s marquee signing of the summer transfer window ahead of other fancied stars such as Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.

Leeds United issued an ultimatum to Barca to hurry things along as they did not want to take Raphinha on a preseason tour of Australia only for the winger to switch allegiances upon his return or have to return to the UK early.

If the deal gets over the line in the coming days, the Porto Alegre native could even join his new employers on their own sojourn in the United States which will take in a Clasico meeting with bitter rivals Real Madrid in Las Vegas.

It was previously thought that Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha would not be able to operate in the same squad and that the Frenchman, whose contract expired after June 30, would not continue with Xavi’s men if his Brazilian positional rival was signed.

On Friday night, however, Mundo Deportivo reported that Dembele is finally ready to agree to a two-term deal that now needs the club’s blessing.