Raphinha to Barcelona update: Has the Liverpool target become a priority?

Barcelona has changed their stance on Leeds United’s Raphinha and has moved him higher up their list of priority targets. But will they pay the money his current employers are asking for?

We are in the home stretch of the current campaign in Europe and clubs around the continent are busy with some of the summer business already – identifying their top targets – and trying to seal the deal early with a World Cup on the way.

Leeds United man, Raphinha, unsurprisingly becomes the subject of a major transfer battle between clubs from the Premier League and South of England in Spain. Barcelona, just last week, spoke of their admiration of Leeds’ top scorer and that he has made their list of summer targets behind others.

"Another player has become a summer target for Barcelona. This time it is Leeds United star player and Chelsea and Liverpool long-term mark, Raphinha.Barcelona is said to have joined the race for Leeds’ top scorer this season, Raphinha. As per reports, their interest has grown with each stellar showing he puts in.The only club standing in their way is the Reds, who have expressed a desire in signing the Brazillian wonderkid for consecutive windows. Chelsea, sadly, have edged themselves out of every transfer battle due to the ongoing in-house problems at Stamford Bridge. (Via: thetopflight.com)"

Close links to Barcelona is aiding in the Raphinha transfer

Move on a week and the influencing factors of agent Deco and other attraction chips, suggest the Catalans have moved ahead of Liverpool and others in the Raphinha race. Increasing the likelihood of him making the switch to Camp Nou, is that he is nailed on as being Ousmane Dembele’s replacement.

Leeds might soon concede they will lose their most valuable asset in the summer with so many clubs across the land and beyond in for his signature. Barcelona is rumoured to have offered the Whites a low fee of €35 million while West Ham United saw a £55m offer rejected as well, as both proposals are nowhere near their valuation of him.

They have set a price tag of between £60-£80m, although they continue to flirt with relegation, it is a fight they are winning under new management and EPL survival looking more and more attainable, so they will be able to ask for what they prefer for Raphinha.

"Barcelona have joined the long list of suitors keen to prise Raphinha away from Elland Road. It is understood Barcelona have made contact with Deco, the agent of the Brazil star, and the Portuguese is a former player at the Nou Camp.West Ham are also keen and claim to have had a £55million offer rejected by Leeds in January. Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Newcastle have also shown interest. (Via: mirror.co.uk)"

The man who has found the target nine times this season in the Premier League sounds like he will be at a new club following the summer transfer window. The only question left to be asked now is; will he stay in the EPL or go abroad with Barcelona changing their stance on him?