Report: Barcelona think £60m Raphinha asking price is not beyond them

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Barcelona do not believe that the £60 million that Leeds United want for Raphinha would be beyond them, with the Daily Mail reporting that a player-plus-cash bid could be made.

Links between Raphinha and Barca appear to have stepped up a gear in recent days. In fact, reports over the weekend claimed that he has agreed a five-year deal at the Nou Camp.

One massive hurdle remains however. Leeds are yet to discuss a fee with the Catalan giants.

Of course, it is impossible to reach an agreement at a time when Jesse Marsch’s men remain in a precarious situation. The Brazilian’s asking price will drop considerably if Leeds fail to beat the drop.

But Barcelona are braced for Leeds to demand £60 million for Raphinha. And they believe that that price is not beyond them, as long as Philippe Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann leave, according to the Daily Mail.

The subsequent bid would also involve another player moving to Elland Road. Oscar Mingueza is reportedly a target for Leeds.

Could Firpo struggles put Leeds off swap deal involving Mingueza and Raphinha?

Leeds may not be against selling Raphinha to Barcelona. He is an unbelievable player. But the Whites have always been realistic about how long they will be able to keep him. And selling him to a club outside the Premier League would soften the blow.

A fee worth up to £60 million would also represent fairly decent business. Some fans will feel that they could get even more.

What may not please the fans is the idea of Mingueza’s arrival taking a sizeable chunk out of the overall fee. Leeds have not had the easiest time with the last defender they signed from Barca. And the Whites are hardly short of centre-back options.

So Leeds fans will hope that the club do all they can to get the best possible price for Raphinha.