Liverpool could miss out on transfer target Raphinha as the Leeds United winger prefers a move to Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.
The Sport newspaper says that both clubs are interested in singing the Brazil international, but that he prefers a move to the Nou Camp over Anfield and has communicated his desire to agent Deco.
The report adds that the 25-year-old has always dreamed of playing for the Blaugrana and is determined to become the focal point of head coach Xavi Hernandez’s progress to turn the club’s fortunes around.
Raphinha has spent the past two season in Yorkshire, helping Leeds maintain their place in the Premier League under first Marcelo Bielsa and latterly Jesse Marsch. He has scored a total of 17 goals in 67 games across all competitions, and has scored three in nine for Brazil since making his international debut in 2021.
His move to Leeds found individual season at Sporting Lisbon in Liga NOS and Stade Rennais in Ligue 1.
Barcelona were way off the pace in La Liga last season and dropped into the Europa League in European competition, where they were knocked out in the quarter-final stage by eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt.
Their drop off was in part down to the loss of Argentinian legend Lionel Messi, who left in summer 2021 on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain after the club was unable to renew his deal due to financial restrictions.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, meanwhile, are also set to be in the market for at least one forward this summer as Sadio Mane looks set to leave the club after six years. The Senegalese forward is out-of-contract in a year’s time and has told the club he would like to move on before the start of the next campaign.
Bayern Munich have had an opening bid of £21m rejected for the 30-year-old, but are likely to return with an increased offers.
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