bet365 have suspended betting on Raphinha’s next club following reports of a surprise move to Chelsea.
The Leeds United winger looks set for a departure following an excellent two seasons at Elland Road.
The Brazilian is on the fringes of the national side having made his debut last October, earning nine caps in the last year, and with a World Cup just a few months away, he won’t do his chances of game time in Qatar any harm by making the step up.
Raphinha has been linked with a host of Europe’s top clubs over the last few months including Liverpool, Barcelona and Manchester, as Leeds’s standout player last season.
With a litany of injuries, Leeds turned to Raphinha to score the goals that ensured their survival, bagging 11 last season as the West Yorkshire side narrowly escaped relegation.
Arsenal looked set to sign the Brazilian, who was as short at 8/15 on Tuesday for a move to the Emirates.
But the situation has changed rapidly in the last 24 hours, and it appears Raphinha will opt for West London rather than North London, with reports suggesting a fee of around £60m has been agreed between the two clubs.
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Chelsea’s summer overhaul is unlikely to end there, however.
With Romelu Lukaku heading back to Inter, and Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech potentially leaving, it leaves a space free for Raheem Sterling to join from Manchester City.
The England forward has been cut from 2/9 on Tuesday to 1/8 as of Wednesday morning, and pushed out from 7/2 to 11/2 to remain at the Etihad, although the Blues are out from 4/1 to 7/1 to bring Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski to Stamford Bridge.
While Raphinha’s move to Chelsea would be a huge blow to Arsenal, particularly their top-four hopes, Youri Tielemans looks to be slightly closer to moving from Leicester, having shortened from 11/8 to 11/10 to move to the Emirates in the summer window.
Meanwhile the Gunners’ North London rivals Tottenham look to be closing in on the signing of Richarlison from Everton.
The Brazilian scored 10 goals for a struggling Toffees side last season, and is in from Evens to 4/11 for a move to Spurs.
Settlement is based on which club the players will be at on 2nd September 2022; loans count for settlement.
All odds subject to change.
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