Brazil striker accepts £19m Leeds bid, but frantic rush to seal deal emerges

Leeds are nearing a deal to sign Rennes striker Raphinha but one major obstacle means the move remains under threat, according to a report.

Goal in Brazil claims the Whites have tabled an offer worth just under €21million (£19million) for the attacker.

While Rennes are yet to accept the proposal, the deal is ‘heading towards a positive outcome’, the report adds.

Indeed the Ligue 1 side are confident of using the funds to raid Anderlecht for Liverpool-linked forward Jermemy Doku.

Raphinha meanwhile has already accepted Leeds’ contract and salary proposal. The report does not state the length of his Elland Road contract but says he will earn double what he takes home in France.

However Raphinha’s lack of a Premier League work permit is an “obstacle” which is putting the deal under threat.

Indeed the player’s representatives are now under pressure to resolve the situation ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline. Among Raphinha’s agents are former Chelsea star Deco.

Leeds’ bid of around £19million is the same fee which Rennes paid to Sporting Lisbon to sign Raphinha in 2019.

In his debut season in France, the striker scored nine goals and assisted five others in 34 appearances. He has started this season brightly too, laying on two goals in five Ligue 1 outings.

The Whites have already bolstered their attack amid their return to the summit of English football. Rodrigo has arrived from Valencia, scoring his first goal for the club on Saturday.

Patrick Bamford also has three goals in four Premier League games, with Marcelo Bielsa’s side causing champions Liverpool and Manchester City serious problems.

Raphinha would be Leeds’ fourth major signing of the transfer window. Defenders Robin Koch and Diego Llorente both arrived after Rodrigo.

Bielsa hails Leeds’ effort in Man City thriller

Meanwhile, Bielsa said he was proud of his side’s effort after they ran City close in Saturday’s Premier League thriller.

Raheem Sterling put City in front before Rodrigo equalised in an all-action encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking after the game, Bielsa said his side had to go to their limit to match Pep Guardiola’s side.

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