"Arsenal will hate the fact..." - Journalist now drops worrying claim from the Emirates

Arsenal have suffered a ‘big blow’ in their pursuit of Raphinha as the Leeds United man is closing in on a move to Chelsea instead of the Emirates Stadium, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Gunners have already spent a considerable amount of cash as boss Mikel Arteta looks to beef up his squad before the upcoming campaign, but it appears he has failed to lure Raphinha to north London.

Chelsea seem to be in pole position to land Raphinha after agreeing a fee of up to £65million, including add-ons, with Leeds.

The west Londoners have already sent an official proposal to the Brazilian and his agent, Deco, as new Blues owner Todd Boehly is looking to rubber-stamp the deal as quickly as possible.

It comes as a major setback for Arsenal, who had made the first move for Raphinha this summer, only for their big-money bid to be rejected last week.

While the Gunners have been unwilling to reach the fee Chelsea have tabled for the Leeds ace, who has notched 56 senior goals over the course of his club career, fellow suitors Barcelona are not in a financial position to compete.

With Raphinha entering the final two years of his £63,000-per-week contract at Elland Road and the club anticipating he will no longer sign a new deal, Leeds are open to sanctioning the winger’s departure.

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Jones believes the failure to sign Raphinha may prove costly for Arsenal, while a move to Chelsea will be even more difficult to swallow.

The transfer insider feels being unable to strike a deal which would have seen the 25-year-old head to the Emirates Stadium rather than Stamford Bridge is a missed opportunity.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “Arsenal will hate the fact Chelsea