Leeds United boss Jeese Marsch wants a solution to Raphinha’s current transfer saga amid links with Chelsea and Barcelona.
The Brazilian winger has attracted interest from a number of clubs this summer, with Arsenal and Newcastle United also reportedly keeping tabs on the nine-time Brazil international’s future.
Raphinha has outlined throughout this summer that he intends on joining Barcelona, but Barca’s hopes of signing the winger could be gazumped by Chelsea, who have already had a bid of £55million accepted by the Whites over a potential summer switch. Raphinha has agreed terms with Barca, although the Catalonia giants have not yet struck a deal with Leeds.
After representing Brazil last month, Raphinha is now back in training with Marsch’s squad ahead of their pre-season tour of Australia for friendlies against Brisbane Roar, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in Robina, Brisbane and Perth respectively.
While the winger is training with Leeds, Marsch is yet to commit as to whether or not the winger will head down under with the Whites’ squad as the club look to resolve his future imminently.
Speaking on the saga, Marsch told Leeds Live: “Raphinha returned to training today, good attitude. Wouldn't commit to him being in Australia with things capable of moving quickly in the next few days.”
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The Whites’ boss also then told The Athletic: “There's urgency from his end to come up with a solution. I know he has hopes and dreams... we’ll see in the next few days. We'll see how things progress day by day for Raphinha.”
Raphinha has spent the past two seasons at Elland Road and in 65 Premier League appearances has scored 17 goals and provided 12 assists, averaging a direct goal contribution every 182.3 minutes.
His exit would fund the transfer business already done by Leeds this season, who have spent big after selling star midfielder Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City for £45m on Monday.
Leeds have signed six players this summer all on permanent deals sp far that has seen Marsch reunited with three of his former players while in charge of Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig.
From the Austrian side, Leeds have signed attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson and right-back Rasmus Kristensen, as well as completing the acquisition of American international midfielder Tyler Adams from Leipzig.
Leeds have also signed midfielder Marc Roca from Bayern Munich, teenage midfielder Darko Gyabi from City and Colombian international winger Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord.
