FC Barcelona transfer target Raphinha is reportedly looking for other suitors.
FC Barcelona transfer target Raphinha is reportedly looking for other clubs to join this summer from Leeds United with hope of a move to the Camp Nou "losing strength as the days go by".
This is what Mundo Deportivo claims on Wedensday afternoon in Catalonia, with Barca yet to make a move for the winger or contact his current Premier PINC League employers to make an official offer.
As things stand, the Blaugrana have other more pressing priorities such as trying to lure striker Robert Lewandoswki away from Bayern Munich and lock midfield starlet Gavi down to a new contract.
Because of this, the Brazil international is reportedly offering himself to other teams and cannot wait any longer to see how things pan out with Ousmane Dembele for whom he is viewed as a direct replacement in Xavi Hernandez's first team.
Dembele's contract expires on June 30, and Barca expect the €105mn ($113mn), 2017 signing from Borussia Dortmund to walk on a free to Chelsea or Paris Saint Germain.
Yet also complicating matters is the Catalans' financial predicament as they stand in debts of around $1.5bn. Leeds United are said to want up to €55mn ($70mn) for the 25-year-old who became an immediate club legend on the last day of the season for guaranteeing that the Yorkshiremen beat relegation.
Following the full-time whistle, he then celebrated survival with their traveling fans in the stands away at Brentford following the dramatic 2-1 win he was pivotal in with a goal and an assist.
While Raphinha's heart is set on a move to Barcelona, to the extent that he has already reportedly handed in a transfer request, the Porto Alegre native knows that his future in Tite's national team and chances of therefore making Brazil's Qatar 2022 World Cup squad rely heavily on his choice of club.
Due to this, Liverpool is another possible destination with the English press pointing out he would provide a good replacement for Sadio Mane who looks certain to move to Bayern Munich ahead of next season.
To lower the asking price for Raphinha, the Reds will allegedly offer Japan international Takumi Minamino in a part exchange deal that could interest Leeds.