Chelsea have reached full agreement to sign Raphinha from Leeds United with a fee in the region of £60, according to multiple reports.
The Brazil international signed for Leeds in 2020 ahead of their return to the Premier League. He joined them from Rennes for around £17m.
Raphinha has shone for the West Yorkshire side over the past two campaigns. He has grabbed 17 goals and eleven assists in 66 appearances.
The attacker was integral last season as Leeds did enough to avoid relegation down to the Championship.
They are set to lose Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City for around £45m, and Raphinha is being targeted by Arsenal, Chelsea and FC Barcelona.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein is now reporting that Chelsea are in ‘pole position’ to sign Raphinha.
He notes that the ‘race is not yet closed’, but the Blues are ‘close to agreeing a fee’ with Leeds United.
Ornstein adds that the fee Chelsea would pay for Raphinha is ‘north of £55m’. Fabrizio Romano has suggested that £60-65m with add-ons included will be paid.
