Paris-Saint Germain star Neymar helped convince Raphinha to join Barcelona instead of , the former Leeds United midfielder has revealed.
Raphinha left West Yorkshire for Catalonia in a £55m deal this summer after an impressive spell in the Premier League, scoring 17 goals in 65 top-flight games.
Leeds over the 25-year-old Brazil international before Barcelona hijacked the move, with the club’s owner Andrea Radrizzani admitting he felt ‘ashamed’ to let down the Blues.
‘For me it was done with Chelsea,’ Radrizzani . ‘I felt ashamed to go back to Todd Boehly and change the position.
‘I didn’t have a choice because it was more important to buy six players than keep Raphinha.’
And now Raphinha, speaking to La Vanguardia, has revealed that Brazil team-mate Neymar played a key role in convincing him to join Barcelona instead.
Neymar spent four years at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017, scoring 105 goals in 186 games before a move to PSG in France.
‘I rejected Chelsea because my dream was to wear the Barcelona shirt,’ Raphinha said.
‘I talked to Neymar about a move and he told me that if I get to Barcelona then I won’t regret and he was right.
‘What surprised me in the club? Without a doubt the warm welcome of the fans, the coaching staff and the players, everyone is good and looking to help the new players.’
Raphinha developed into one of Leeds’ most important players following his £17m move from Rennes in 2020, helping the club avoid relegation from the Premier League last season.
He was also linked with a move to Arsenal, .
Raphinha has featured in all five of Barcelona’s La Liga fixtures so far this season, registering a goal and an assist.
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