Raphinha joined Leeds United in 2020 and has made 65 appearances in all competitions scoring a total of 17 goals during that time
By Kehinde Okeowo
North London club, Arsenal, are now slightly edging the keen contest to sign Leeds United and Brazilian forward, Raphinha this summer.
Prior to this, Barcelona were said to be leading in the race to sign the 25-year-old but the La Liga giant are under some financial restriction and may not be able to effectively compete.
The Gunners have since gone ahead of Barcelona, and London rivals, Chelsea and Tottenham for the Brazilian’s signature.
According to The Athletic, Raphinha is increasingly eager to join the growing number of his countrymen currently at the club and those heading towards the North London outfit.
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Brazilians such as Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes are already key members of Mikel Arteta’s first team set-up, while teenager Marquinhos arrived from Sao Paulo earlier in the window.
Mikel Arteta is also on the verge of signing another Brazilian Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, as the two clubs have agreed a fee.
Arsenal’s opening bid of less than £40million for Raphinha was rejected by the Premier League side earlier this week.
But Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are now set to return to the negotiating table in the coming days and are ready to submit an improved bid.
Raphinna’s club Leeds United, are holding out for a fee in the region of £65m for the striker.
The striker joined the Premier League club in 2020 for 4 years and has made 65 appearances in all competitions scoring a total of 17 goals during that time.
Meanwhile, Raphinha is currently in Spain, on the Spanish island of Ibiza, seemingly on holiday with his agent Deco as shown by posts on his Instagram page.
