Chelsea 'were leading race' for Leeds ace Raphinha but sanctions mean Barcelona now in pole position for summer transfer
CHELSEA were reportedly "leading the race" to sign Raphinha before sanctions placed on owner Roman Abramovich banned the club from buying players.
The Leeds star is now likely to join Barcelona instead.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims the 25-year-old winger is "open" to joining Barca after Chelsea had originally led the way.
Reports earlier this week suggested Raphinha has agreed personal terms with the Spanish giants over a move.
Negotiations between his agent, former Blues midfielder Deco, and Chelsea chiefs were claimed to be ongoing before the club was put up for sale.
But now no new players can be signed while Abramovich is still owner at Stamford Bridge.
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As a result talks were forced to ground to a halt.
And while Liverpool have also been linked with the Brazil international, it is Barcelona who have profited from Chelsea's dire situation.
Talks between Deco and the LaLiga side have been ongoing since earlier this month, soon after sanctions were put on Russian billionaire Abramovich.
Deco also spent four years as a player for Barcelona, and still works as a South America scout for the Spaniards.
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Direct contract between Leeds and Barcelona is yet to be made, with Barca understood to be waiting to see whether the Whites are relegated.
If that were the case it would significantly reduce the required transfer fee to bring Raphinha to the Nou Camp.
His current release clause is a whopping £70million.
Barcelona's recent announcement of a mega £240m sponsorship deal with music streaming site Spotify has boosted their presence in the transfer market.
Raphinha has scored nine goals and provided three assists in 27 Premier League games this campaign.
He is under contract at Elland Road until the end of the 2023-24 season.
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