"Talking to my sources" – Journalist drops huge Chelsea and Raphinha update this afternoon

Chelsea are confident of agreeing a financial package with Raphinha, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.

The Blues are closing in on a deal to land the Brazilian but still face stiff competition from Barcelona.

Thomas Tuchel’s side looked to have finally got their man on Tuesday when they were close to agreeing a fee with Leeds for the wide man’s services.

Chelsea had moved ahead of Arsenal in the running for Raphinha, with the Gunners previously appearing to be in the driving seat to sign the winger.

However, the Blues are now facing pressure from Barcelona, who have always been Raphinha’s preferred destination, with the Spanish giants hoping to steal in right at the very last.

According to The Sun, Raphinha’s agent Deco, was spotted in Spain on Wednesday and is hoping to secure a last-gasp switch to the Nou Camp.

But Jacobs reckons that Blues owner Todd Boehly is convinced Chelsea will agree terms with the Elland Road outfit for the Brazil international.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “My feeling, and from talking to sources, is that Chelsea are fully confident of agreeing the financial terms with Raphinha, that five-year contract is a year longer than Barcelona’s.

“They’ll be able to pay more lucrative wages, and Raphinha is well aware of Chelsea, [Edouard] Mendy is an ex-teammate of his, and he gets Champions League football, but what Raphinha is trying to understand is that if Barcelona is a viable option or whether their finances will stop them from being able to follow through.”

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Chelsea might have qualified for the Champions League and reached both domestic cup finals last season, but Tuchel still needs to improve his attacking options.

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