Leeds United winger Raphinha has turned down a summer move to Liverpool.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by Spanish publication SPORT (via Sport Witness), who claim that, despite receiving a "succulent" offer from Jurgen Klopp's side, the 25-year-old has rejected a move to Anfield in a fresh twist, as the Brazil international has his heart set on securing a switch to Barcelona this summer.

The report goes on to state that Victor Orta was more than willing to do business with the Premier League and Champions League runners up, something that SPORT suggest is down to the Reds possessing greater financial muscle than the Catalan outfit, as well as the fact that Liverpool were willing to offer the Whites Takumi Minamino in a player plus cash deal.

However, it is said that Raphinha - who has already agreed personal terms with Barca - is only interested in a move to the LaLiga club, and is waiting for Xavi to strike a deal with Leeds in order for his proposed switch to the Camp Nou to go through - with it being claimed the Premier League side are demanding a figure of €65m (£55m) to part with the winger.

Orta will be gutted

While there is an argument to be made that Raphinha joining Barcelona would be preferable to the winger securing a move to Liverpool this summer - as this would dramatically reduce the Whites' chances of lining up against the forward in the coming seasons - the fact that the 25-year-old has now turned down the chance to join the Reds is more than likely to have left Victor Orta gutted.

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Indeed, not only does it appear much more feasible that Klopp's side would be able to stump up the £40.5m-rated talent's asking price in an upfront payment, but the prospect of also landing Minamino - a player who the Whites have been reported to hold an interest in signing this summer - as part of the Brazilian's deal would undoubtedly have been viewed as a huge bonus by the Spanish sporting director and Jesse Marsch alike.

Meanwhile, Barcelona's well-documented financial difficulties have cast serious doubts as to whether or not the LaLiga side will be able to afford a move for the winger at all this summer - with the Catalan club already being unable to register new signings Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen due to their dire accounts.

As such, Raphinha's apparent adamance on a move to Barcelona above any other club could well, in time, prove to become a source of great frustration for Orta and Leeds, as it is obvious that receiving £55m from the forward's sale towards the start of the transfer market as opposed to the nearer the end - if at all - would be much more beneficial for the Whites' own planning and shopping in the summer window.

AND in other news: Surprise: Orta must boldly axe "special" £60k-p/w Leeds ace, Marsch doesn't need him