Barcelona set to win the race to sign Raphinha from Leeds as they table late bid worth £63m to pip Chelsea to his signature after receiving a cash boost from selling TV rights - with the Brazil winger always favouring a move to Nou Camp

Barcelona appear to have won the race to sign Chelsea target Raphinha.

The Spanish giants are set to land the Leeds United playmaker in a deal worth an overall figure of £63m.

Barcelona has always been the Brazilian’s preferred destination but until recently Chelsea were the only side to meet Leeds’s valuation of £55m, plus £8m add ons.

However, a late move from the Nou Camp outfit means it is now likely that the player will seal his dream switch.

The news will come as a blow to Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who is close to finalising a deal with Manchester City for Raheem Sterling.

The England man was in London for a medical and is set to join Chelsea in Los Angeles, where they are on a pre-season tour.

City defender Nathan Ake is set to follow Sterling and return to Stamford Bridge.

Financial difficulties – including a reported debt of £508m – have hampered Barcelona’s pursuit of Raphinha.

And with Leeds seeking cash up front, a move to Catalonia had seemed in the balance.

But the selling of television rights has improved matters.