"Within the next 24 hours..." - Journalist drops intriguing Chelsea transfer update

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is hoping to wrap up a deal for Leeds United star Raphinha within the next 24 to 48 hours, according to CBS Reporter Ben Jacobs.

It is believed that the Blues have already agreed a fee with their Premier League rivals for the Brazilian, but a late move from Barcelona has put a spanner in the works.

On Tuesday, The Telegraph reported that Chelsea had struck a £55m agreement with Leeds to sign Raphinha this transfer window.

Since then, though, it has emerged that Barcelona are trying an 11th-hour hijack as they look to bring the 25-year-old to the Camp Nou.

Raphinha is a long-term target for Barcelona, with Fabrizio Romano stating in his recent CaughtOffside column that the La Liga outfit have had an agreement on personal terms since last March. However, their financial situation made a deal seem practically impossible at one point.

They do not look to have given up, though, and appear to be firmly back in the race for the player’s signature.

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Jacobs has told GIVEMESPORT that the feeling around Chelsea is that if they can strike an agreement with Raphinha in the next 48 hours, then he should end up at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking to GMS, the CBS Reporter said: “It’s a very, very fluid situation, and we should learn more within the next 24 hours because if Chelsea don’t strike an agreement quickly, then every day that passes, it becomes more likely that Barcelona is Raphinha’s next destination.

“Chelsea are hoping that before Barcelona can get their finances in order, they get a quick deal, and that’s why Todd Boehly’s role is so key, because he is negotiating in a proactive and direct way. And if in the next 24 to 48 hours he can