Chelsea look to be closing in on making Leeds United forward Raphinha the Blues’ first signing of the Todd Boehly era.
The Brazilian international has been the subject of interest from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Barcelona, but it looks like the Stamford Bridge side have stolen a march on the chasing pack.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that Chelsea have agreed a fee in the region of £60million with Leeds, but personal terms still need to be ironed out with Raphinha and his agent Deco – a former Chelsea player.
With Romelu Lukaku set to seal a season-long move back to Inter Milan after an underwhelming first season back in west London after his £97.5m return – Boehly is targeting offensive reinforcements to provide Thomas Tuchel with additional firepower.
The Blues have also been heavily linked with big moves for fellow forwards Raheem Sterling and Ousmane Dembele.
But having scored 17 goals and laid on 12 assists from 65 Premier League games since arriving at Elland Road from Ligue 1 side Rennes two years ago, Raphinha looks set to join Chelsea.
The 25-year-old’s arrival is likely to bring into question the long-term futures of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic, especially given the ongoing interest in Sterling and Dembele.
But with the nine-time Brazil international itching closer to becoming a Blues player, TCC takes a look at the players who have played for Chelsea and Leeds United.
Players who have played for Chelsea and Leeds United
Patrick Bamford
Raphinha’s teammate Bamford joined Chelsea from Nottingham Forest in January 2012, but despite embarking on a number of loan spells – he never made his debut for the first team.
After previously spending a season on loan at Middlesbrough, the one-time England international moved to the Riverside Stadium on a permanent deal in January 2017.
Following 18 months on Teesside, Bamford was signed by Marcelo Bielsa and has gone on to make 120 appearances for Leeds, scoring 45 goals for the West Yorkshire outfit.
Bamford, who has struggled with injury setbacks throughout his career, scored 17 Premier League goals upon the Whites’ return to the big time, but in an injury ravaged campaign – Leeds’ number nine scored twice last season and made just seven starts.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
The Dutch striker moved to Elland Road in 1997 after playing for Portuguese side Boavista for one season.
Hasselbaink had two seasons with the Whites, from which he scored 35 goals from 79 games, before securing a big move to Atletico Madrid.
Following a prolific campaign in the Spanish capital which saw Hasselbaink score 34 goals, Chelsea signed the striker for a club-record £15m in 2000.
In 177 games for the Blues, the 23-time Netherlands international scored 87 goals across a four-year period before joining Middlesbrough.
The two-time Premier League winner, who scored 127 top-flight goals throughout his career, is currently the manager of League One side Burton Albion.
Michael Duberry
After coming through the Chelsea youth ranks, the centre-back went on to make 108 appearances for the Blues and was part of the side that won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Supercup.
The centre-back joined Leeds in 1999 and made 76 appearances for the Whites before joining Championship side Stoke City.
Before calling time on his playing career, Duberry had spells with Reading, Wycombe Wanderers, St Johnstone and Oxford United.
Tony Dorigo
The left-back, who was capped 15 times for England, had four years at Stamford Bridge following his arrival from Aston Villa and he made 96 appearances for the west Londoners.
Dorigo moved to the Whites in 1991 and spent six years at Elland Road and won the league title in 1992.
He then had a season in Italy with Torino before finishing his career with spells at Derby County and Stoke City.
Jody Morris
Morris was another product of the Chelsea academy and the all-action midfielder went on to make 168 appearances for the Blues.
The former England Under-20 international won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, FA Cup and Community Shield during his time at Stamford Bridge.
After an eight-year spell with his beloved Blues, Morris made the switch to Elland Road where he would made 12 appearances.
Morris, who finished his playing career with spells at Rotherham, Millwall, St Johnstone and Bristol City, was Frank Lampard’s assistant manager at Derby County and Chelsea.
Players who have played for Chelsea and Leeds United
- Danny Granville
- Neil Sullivan
- Lewis Baker
- Izzy Brown
- Jamal Blackman
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