Chelseanews

Leeds have still not accepted any Barcelona offer for Raphinha but advanced talks continue. Barca feel progress made and want to pay any fee in instalments. Leeds want a higher guaranteed fee because of this. Barcelona’s offer is still currently below Chelsea’s £60 million.

Chelsea aren’t prepared to just wait around, especially knowing Barca are now confident. Leeds are open to a deal that’s structured differently to Chelsea’s but they won’t sell Raphinha on worse terms and that’s been made clear to Barcelona. Leeds also want sale resolved fast.

It is not true Raphinha has asked Deco to ‘stop’ negotiating with Chelsea. There is just nothing to negotiate right now because the broad terms offered are acceptable but he’s just waiting for Barcelona, a move he wanted long before Chelsea’s bid.

As reported last week, longer Raphinha delays the less chance Chelsea have and they always knew this. Tactic was a quick sale. Barca still need to finalise a deal with Leeds, though. Likely now they’ll eventually match Chelsea’s fee, but as of last night, nothing was fully agreed.

[Ben Jacobs]