Arsenal working hardest to sign Raphinha amid Tottenham and Chelsea transfer interest

Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea are all interested in signing Leeds United star Raphinha. However, reports have suggested that it’s the Gunners who have been working the hardest to sign him in recent days.

Spanish newspaper Sport, via SportWitness, had reported that the Leeds United winger was set on a move to Barcelona. The report added that his agent, Deco, was no longer listening to offers from elsewhere.

But recent reports from The Athletic have suggested that there are concerns over whether Barcelona will be able to fund a deal for the forward. The Spanish side have debts of more than £1billion and strict controls on their recruitment and expenditure.

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Now, that has opened the door for potential suitors from the Premier League. Arsenal and Tottenham are monitoring his situation, whilst Chelsea also hold an interest in his services.

Toni Juanmarti has since added that Arsenal are the side who are pursuing the deal with the most ‘intensity’ at the moment, although there’s still a long way to go before any transfer is completed.

Raphinha would be Arsenal’s second Brazilian signing of the window after Marquinhos joined the club a matter of days ago. The 19-year-old has penned a four-year deal at the Emirates Stadium which includes an option to extend for another season.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens in this particular saga. With Leeds narrowly avoiding relegation last campaign – largely thanks to Raphinha’s heroics – you’d expect him to be keen on an upgrade elsewhere.