Chelsea now in 'direct talks' over signing £120k-a-week star at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea have offered Raphinha a contract worth £120,000-per-week and ‘the next 48 hours are key’ in the Stamford Bridge outfit’s pursuit of the Leeds United star, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.

The Blues are hoping to wrap up the first signing since a Todd Boehly-led consortium completed a £4.25billion takeover in May.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed Chelsea have reached an agreement with Leeds after lodging a bid worth up to £65million, including add-ons, for Raphinha.

The west Londoners have speedily sent an official proposal to the Brazilian and his agent, Deco, as Boehly is looking to fight off competition by sealing the winger’s arrival as quickly as possible.

However, Barcelona are making an 11th hour attempt to hijack the deal and it is understood that Raphinha has had his heart set on moving to the Nou Camp rather than Stamford Bridge.

It comes after Arsenal failed in their attempts to land the 25-year-old as their proposal fell short of Leeds’ valuation.

With Raphinha entering the final two years of his £63,000-per-week Leeds contract and the Yorkshire giants anticipating he will no longer sign a new deal, the Whites are open to sanctioning his departure.

Jacobs understands Chelsea have offered a contract which, if accepted, would see Raphinha nearly double his current salary at Leeds.

However, the journalist feels the next two days are pivotal as Blues boss Thomas Tuchel looks to draft the nine-cap Brazil international into his squad ahead of the upcoming campaign.

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Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT: “I think the next 48 hours are key because Chelsea are now in direct talks to try and agree personal terms and they’ve put a five-year