Chelsea Interested In Signing $56M Winger Amid Pulisic, Ziyech's Exit Rumors: Report

KEY POINTS

Raphinha is contracted with Leeds United until 2024
He moved from Rennes to Leeds last year
Raphinha has netted eight goals in the league this season

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Leeds United winger Raphinha during the 2022 summer window.

Chelsea will have to compete with Premier League rivals Liverpool FC and Bayern Munich in the race to sign Raphinha, reported Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, who has a credible record in the European soccer market. However, International Business Times could not verify the information independently.

Also #Chelsea have strong interest in #Leeds winger #Raphinha. Blues are working for next summer, as many others top clubs around the Europe. #CFC @tvdellosport #LUFC
— Gianluigi Longari (@Glongari) December 26, 2021

While Liverpool and Bayern Munich are looking to land Raphinha in January, Chelsea are aiming to secure the Brazilian winger only at the end of the 2021-22 season.

Chelsea are being linked with Raphinha amid rumors that Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech will be allowed to leave.

Thomas Tuchel has enough attacking options at his disposal but not all players have clicked as a unit this season. The trio of Timo Werner, Ziyech and Pulisic has scored only 10 goals in between them.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is on the lookout to strengthen his attack in January, considering he'll be without two of his best playmakers, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who are set to be away for a month on international duty for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

This is not the first time Liverpool have shown interest in signing Leeds' Raphinha. The Reds wanted to land him last summer but the deal did not go through, according to Liverpool.com.

However, Bayern Munich are favorites to sign Raphinha at $57 million in January, Portuguese media outlet TNT Sport reported.

Raphinha, who moved from Rennes to Leeds United last year, is contracted with the Elland Road side until 2024. The 25-year-old Brazilian is Leeds' top-scorer with eight goals and an assist in 16 league appearances this season.

Raphinha of Leeds United Getty Images | Robin Jones

Overall, the Leeds No. 10 has so far netted 14 goals and 10 assists since his debut for the club last term.

It was earlier reported that Raphinha, who has been termed the "Jewel of Premier League," was also a target of FC Barcelona.

With 16 points from 18 games, Leeds are placed 16th in the league table and are nearing relegation. From their previous five games in the Premier League, Leeds have managed only one win, while they have suffered four losses.