Transfer Talk: Barca agree to meet £65m asking price in Raph race

Barcelona have reportedly agreed to meet Leeds’ asking price for Raphinha — which could boost Manchester United’s hopes of landing midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

Whites chiefs told the Blaugrana to meet Chelsea’s offer of £60million plus £5m in add-ons for the Brazilian.

Raphinha, 25, is believed to have his heart set on the Camp Nou as his destination, having agreed personal terms with Barca at the start of the summer.

And the Mirror are reporting that the cash-strapped Catalans have finally accepted Leeds' demands but will have to sell players in order to finance the deal.

It is said that shipping out Dutch midfielder De Jong, 25, to the Red Devils for an initial fee of £56m is now their No1 priority.

United boss Erik ten Hag is keen to be reuinited with the former Ajax man and believes he can convince him to become a central part of his plans at Old Trafford.

The 44-cap international was said to be reluctant to leave Barca but their increased pressure to sell due to Raphinha’s arrival means it could be out of his hands.

And after seemingly missing out on Raphinha, the Mail say Chelsea will turn their attention to Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry.

The Blues will reportedly have to pay no less than £45m to land the German international, who came through the ranks at London rivals Arsenal.

In other news

TalkSPORT say Leicester’s Youri Tielemans and Wolves’ Ruben Neves are on United’s wish list if they miss out on De Jong.

Brentford are closing in on the £16m signing of Hull and England Under-21s winger Keane Lewis-Potter, according to the Athletic.

The Telegraph report that Wolves are in advanced talks to sign Burnley defender Nathan Collins for £20.5m.

While Molineux chiefs have also rejected a £25m approach from Everton for midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, say the Mail.