Chelsea were linked with a move for Raphinha, and the Blues had a deal agreed with Leeds United for the Brazilian international last month.

However, Barcelona hijacked the deal, and the Brazil international ended up at Camp Nou.

Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani has admitted he felt “ashamed” to tell Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly that Raphinha would be joining Barcelona and not Chelsea.

Speaking to The Athletic, Radrizzani revealed a deal with Chelsea was done but he was forced into changing his stance, after Barcelona influencers convinced Raphinha to wait until the club had the money for the transfer.

“For me, it was done, and when I have a deal my word is my word. I felt ashamed to go back to Todd Boehly and change my position,” said Radrizzani.

“We made the deal with Chelsea because the player wanted to go and he was open to listening to offers from Premier League clubs,

“But unfortunately, let’s say Barcelona influences convinced the player to wait, to wait, to wait until they could find a solution.

“This shows again the power and the leverage players and their agents have in the system, which for me is exaggerated, too much.

“We do a lot of investment to build clubs. We invest hundreds of millions but all the power it seems to be (with) agents and representatives of these players.”