Chelsea closing in on £55m Raphinha deal
Blues set to thwart Arsenal in race for Brazilian winger Leeds ace could join Sterling in new-look attacking line-up
Chelsea are on the brink of clinching a £55 million deal to sign Raphinha from Leeds United and landing a significant blow on London rivals Arsenal.
The Blues have settled on a fee with Leeds, plus add-ons, and must now just agree personal terms with the player, which is not expected to be an issue. With the deal expected to go through, Chelsea are aiming to add Raphinha to a £105million new-look attack with Raheem Sterling.
Chelsea have opened talks with Sterling and Manchester City about a move to Stamford Bridge, but want another attacking player to boost head coach Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
There had been interest in Ousmane Dembele, who is due to make a decision on his Barcelona future, and Everton’s Richarlison, who Tottenham Hotspur are in talks to sign.
But Raphinha had emerged as the forward player set to move to Stamford Bridge along with Sterling, with Tuchel personally driving the move for the player and sources believing an agreement is extremely close.
The Gunners’ first bid last week was rejected and Chelsea have now jumped ahead of Mikel Arteta’s club for the 25-year-old, whose agent is the former midfielder Deco, who played for Chelsea for two years.
Given a deal for Sterling is likely to be worth at least £50million, signing Raphinha for £55million would mean Chelsea spending £105million to effectively replace Romelu Lukaku, whose move to Inter Milan should be confirmed today.
Raphinha scored 11 goals and registered three assists for Leeds last season as the club narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League. His signing, along with Sterling, would give Tuchel the option of choosing between the pair, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz for his front three.
Chelsea are also optimistic of finding an agreement to re-sign Nathan Ake from Manchester City, with the central defender open to the prospect of a return to Stamford Bridge.
Talks have been held between the two clubs and, although no fee has been agreed, there is a feeling that a deal can be struck for the 27-year-old.
Chelsea remain interested in both Jules Kounde and Matthijs de Ligt, although a deal to sign the Dutchman from Juventus would be very expensive. The Blues are also thought to have joined Paris Stgermain in the race for Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar.
Tuchel has been promised up to six new players this summer.