Chelsea ‘draw up new plans’ involving £140m duo after latest Raphinha news

Chelsea are looking to move on from Raphinha as they target Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, according to reports.

Leeds United winger Raphinha has made it clear that he prefers a move to La Liga with Barcelona than staying in the Premier League, despite Chelsea having a £55m bid accepted by the Yorkshire club.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano insisted last night that Raphinha was “optimistic” that a deal to Barcelona would go through after Barcelona made an improved “verbal bid” on Sunday night.

Romano added on Twitter that Leeds “are still waiting for Barcelona to submit the official proposal” and that “it’s the final but key step” before they can announce his signing.

And now the Guardian insist that Chelsea ‘have responded’ to news about Raphinha’s imminent move to Barcelona ‘by drawing up new plans in attack’.

Bayern Munich’s Gnabry and AC Milan’s Leao are ‘both of interest to Thomas Tuchel’ with the German targeting ‘an unpredictable, clinical wide player and he is expected to focus on forwards who can play in multiple positions’.

Chelsea are ‘monitoring developments around’ Gnabry – who has just one year left on his contract at the Allianz Arena – and ‘could be a more attainable target than’ Leao.

That is because The Guardian claims that Milan ‘could demand at least £100m’ for the Portugal international after he contributed 11 goals and eight assists in 34 Serie A appearances last term.

Gnabry is likely to ‘be cheaper’ with previous reports putting his value this summer at around £40m with Bayern apparently keen to cash in for the right price.

Meanwhile, former Premier League striker Noel Whelan thinks Arsenal could swoop for Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante this summer if he isn’t in Tuchel’s plans going forward.

“There’s no doubt that he’s been one of the best defensive midfielders in the world for a long time now,” Whelan told Football Insider.

“He’s been very successful at Chelsea. It’s strange to see him possibly heading towards the exit door when he is still so influential. Any deal can be struck if the money is right and Chelsea are willing to listen to the offer.

“If he’s not firmly in the plans of Tuchel then he is surplus to requirements with 12 months left, just as you’ve got Raheem Sterling leaving Man City.

“There has to be a certain turnaround and Chelsea won’t want to lose out on any potential fee they can get in. If Arsenal can get him in then he could be very influential for them.”

Barcelona ‘to prioritise Frenkie de Jong sale after agreeing Raphinha fee’

Barcelona are reportedly set to prioritise selling Frenkie de Jong this summer after agreeing a transfer with Leeds United for Raphinha.

The Catalan giants have been pursuing the Brazilian throughout the transfer window, competing with Chelsea for his signature, with the Blues agreeing a fee with Leeds for the winger.

While Barcelona initially failed to make a suitable offer, they decided to match Chelsea’s offer of £60m up front with a further £5m in add-ons.

The bid should open the door for a move to Camp Nou for Raphinha who regards Barcelona as his preferred destination.

While Raphinha could be on his way in, according to the Mirror, Barcelona will turn their focus to offloading Frenkie de Jong, who has been linked with a transfer to Manchester United.

United manager Erik ten Hag is keen to reunite with the player he once managed at Ajax, although De Jong has expressed a desire to remain at Camp Nou.

The midfielder is also owed £17m in unpaid wages, which is proving to be a stumbling block in a potential transfer, although Barcelona are confident that they can come to an agreement with De Jong over the matter.

De Jong, who has four years remaining on his current contract, has made 130 appearances for Barcelona.

 ‘Thomas Tuchel would definitely not want Cristiano Ronaldo’ – Manchester United star’s ‘ego’ means Chelsea boss would rather sign Raheem Sterling or Raphinha, Gabby Agbonlahor insists

Gabby Agbonlahor believes Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel would rather sign Raphinha or Raheem Sterling over Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Blues are in the hunt for a new forward this summer and recently emerged as contenders to land wantaway Manchester United superstar Ronaldo.

The 37-year-old has asked to leave Old Trafford this summer and, although the Premier League side are reluctant to sanction a move, eyes have already turned to the legendary goalscorer’s next destination.

New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is thought to be interested in a deal for Ronaldo, having held talks with his representatives, but an official bid could rely on Tuchel’s approval.

It is understood the German is an admirer of Ronaldo, but questions linger over how the Portugal sensation would fit in Chelsea’s system.

The Blues could do with a striker following the loan exit of Romelu Lukaku to Inter, but appear to be focused on deals for Leeds forward Raphinha and Manchester City winger Sterling.

And according to Villa legend Agbonlahor, Raphinha and Sterling make more sense for Tuchel than Ronaldo.

Agbonlahor told talkSPORT: “I think [Ronaldo] would definitely be a good fit – but I don’t see it happening.

“He would not want a big ego like Ronaldo coming in and wanting to play every game.

“He would rather go and get Raphinha and Sterling, players who aren’t bigger than the manager or the club.

“For me, Tuchel would definitely not want Ronaldo.

“But if it comes from above him and the owners want him, then maybe something could happen.”

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