Barcelona are unlikely to be able to make a last minute move to sign Raphinha from Leeds United, according to ESPN.
The 25-year-old is thought to prefer a move to Camp Nou this summer, but Barça are not currently able to sign the forward due to the club’s financial constraints.
Chelsea are leading the race for Raphinha after talks accelerated on Tuesday. Arsenal are also interested but have not matched Chelsea’s offer which will be in the region of £60m including add-ons.
Chelsea are now working on agreeing personal terms with the Brazilian player, with club owner Todd Boehly operating as the club’s interim sporting director after they confirmed the departure of Marina Granovskaia.
Barcelona will continue to push for the signing of Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich.
As reported by Bild’s Tobi Altschäffl, Bayern Munich have received a third offer from the Catalan club for Lewandowski worth €40m with €5m in add-ons but have yet to respond to Barça.
GSFN
