'Advanced...' - Leeds gem now on verge of Elland Road exit after talks with club official

A Spanish outlet has provided a further update on Leeds United winger Raphinha and a summer move to Barcelona.

Raphinha has been Leeds’ best-rated performer this season, as per WhoScored, scoring more goals than any other Whites player.

His starring displays may not be enough to keep the club in the Premier League, though, with Jesse Marsch’s side now in the bottom three with just two games remaining.

Barcelona have been heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old since the turn of the year, and it looks as if it is just a matter of time until a Camp Nou switch goes through.

Sports Witness relayed an update from Mundo Deportivo on Thursday regarding Raphinha and Barcelona, revealing the two parties are already in talks.

They claimed that the Brazilian’s agent, Deco, is in ‘advanced negotiations’ with Barcelona president Joan Laporta, whom he has a close relationship with.

Interestingly, they believe that there isn’t a €25m relegation release clause if Leeds go down, as has been suggested, however, they say that the Whites would let him go for a relatively low fee, should they drop down to the Championship.

Even if the Whites somehow manage to remain in the Premier League, it looks as if Raphinha has outgrown Leeds and needs to take the next step in his career over the coming months.

Survival would mean that the Whites could demand a bigger fee for the winger when talking to the Catalan giants, but a departure does seem inevitable either way.

Due to a number of injuries and suspensions for the final two games, Raphinha may have to drag Marsch’s side out of the bottom three single-handedly, and doing just that would be a parting gift money can’t buy.

In other news: Leeds and Orta now planning for the Championship as