One of Tuchel’s top attacking targets appears to have decided to sign with Barcelona rather than the Londoners, increasing the Catalan club’s influence over Chelsea’s own summer decisions.
Given that Barcelona is prepared to sign the 25-year-old Brazilian, the Blues appear to be out of luck.
Raphinha, a stunning £63 million transfer from the Premier League, is expected to join the Spanish team.
Raphinha’s personal terms would have likely been decided very quickly if Chelsea and Leeds United had reached a £55 million agreement. The Blues had signed an outstanding talent before fierce London rivals Arsenal.
The Brazilian has, of course, chosen Barcelona two weeks later. Who can blame him if it was just his dream? is still reportedly more appealing than a team that only recently won the Champions League.
According to rumors, Chelsea prefers to let Raphinha go and is interested in AC Milan’s Rafael Leao and Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry.
Chelsea’s frustration is understandable, but they are no longer able to make Raphinha turn. Fans don’t seem to mind at all, though, as the focus has shifted to another explosive winger. This time, Blues supporters are speaking highly of Serge Gnabry, and it appears that they have already identified their ideal replacement for Raphinha.
The situation of Serge Gnabry about a likely summer transfer to Chelsea while his future at Bayern Munich is up in the air.
Thomas Tuchel is looking to boost his frontline for the 2022–23 season, and the 26-year-old is one of the attacking possibilities Chelsea is considering in the summer transfer window. With 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions last season, he is set to cost more than £30 million.
Xavi’s team also holds the key to several more Blues additions aside from acquiring Andreas Christensen on a free transfer and having an interest in club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso. Ousmane Dembele is expected to accept a 40 percent wage reduction to order to remain at Camp Nou, despite Chelsea’s ferocious efforts to sign him.
