Live: Todd Boehly wants to complete £55m deal ‘within 24 hours’ for Chelsea after reaching agreement with club
According to CBS Reporter Ben Jacobs, Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly hopes to finalize a deal for Leeds United striker Raphinha within the next 24 to 48 hours.
It is claimed that the Blues and their Premier League opponents have already agreed on a price for the Brazilian, but a last-minute move from Barcelona has thrown a wrench in the works.
The Telegraph reported on Tuesday that Chelsea and Leeds have reached a £55 million contract to bring in Raphinha during current transfer window.
But since then, it has come to light that Barcelona is attempting a last-minute hijack in an effort to get the 25-year-old to the Camp Nou.
However, Barcelona has been interested in Raphinha for some time; according to Fabrizio Romano’s most recent CaughtOffside piece, the La Liga team and the Brazilian have a personal contract dating back to last March. However, at one point a deal appeared to be very unattainable due to their financial predicament.
However, they don’t appear to have given up and seem to be actively resuming the pursuit of the player’s signature.
According to Jacobs, who spoke to GIVEMESPORT, Raphinha should finish up at Stamford Bridge if Chelsea and him can come to terms within the next 48 hours.
Jacobs told GMS: “It’s a very, very fluid situation, and we should learn more within the next 24 hours because if Chelsea don’t strike an agreement quickly, then every day that passes, it becomes more likely that Barcelona is Raphinha’s next destination.
“Chelsea are hoping that before Barcelona can get their finances in order, they get a quick deal, and that’s why Todd Boehly’s role is so key, because he is negotiating in a proactive and direct way.
And if in the next 24 to 48 hours he can get Raphinha to agree to a move in terms of the financials, then Chelsea’s feeling is that that deal will get done and Barcelona will have to back off.”