Raphinha Issues Ultimatum To FC Barcelona Over Transfer From Leeds United

Raphinha and his camp have issued an ultimatum to FC Barcelona and want to know if they will sign the youngster from Leeds United next week.

The Brazil international is first team coach Xavi Hernandez’s number one transfer target for the right wing if Ousmane Dembele walks on June 30 as a free agent.

Yet with the Blaugrana guaranteeing €700mn ($734mn) in financial ‘levers’ after a members’ vote this week, and the Frenchman telling a fan from his car that he is “fine” at the Camp Nou, there are now rumors that the Russia 2018 World Cup winner could stay put after all.

This complicates Raphinha’s possible arrival in Catalonia. And with the Brazilian having put all the offers he has on the table on hold, he now wants Barca to clarify whether they will take a punt for him or not according to Mundo Deportivo.

Due to this, his agent, ex-Barca legend Deco, will travel to the Catalan capital this week to meet with the club’s representative and obtain answers.

It is said that Raphinha is prepared to wait for Barca as long they need to prepare themselves, despite having bigger, more financially-attractive offers from elsewhere in the Premier League at the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, where Dembele has also been linked with a move.

These other suitors are urging Raphinha to make up his mind post haste so that they can get on with their preparations for next season, which has therefore forced Deco to make the trip and seek clarity.

In Yorkshire, there is radio silence from Leeds United who are also waiting for Barca to make their minds up. There is no direct contact between the clubs, with everything going through Deco. And the Whites assure MD that there have not been any formal offers for their star man for either the touted €40mn ($42mn) or €55mn ($58mn) figures.

They do however admit that other English outfits have been asking after Raphinha, with Arsenal also entering the race, and Leeds’ patience could also be tested if Barca don’t make a move quickly for the 25-year-old.