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Raphinha has
revealed his reason for rejecting Chelsea was because💱 of his "dream" to play for
Barcelona.
The Blues agreed a £55million fee with Leeds United for the 25-year-old, but
Barcelona💱 then entered proceedings. Raphinha then chose the Catalan club over a switch
to west London – and he has now💱 broken his silence on his decision.
"Rejecting an offer
from Chelsea? Yes, because my dream was to wear the Barca shirt,"💱 he said to La
Vanguardia. "I followed them since I was young, since Ronaldinho arrived. I wanted to
be a💱 part of it.
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"The desire was stronger💱 than any other proposal, no
matter how powerful it was financially. I knew that I might have some difficulties to
💱 come and to be registered. But I was also aware of the effort the club was making.
"So
I decided to💱 trust and adapt to the economic conditions that existed. I was born in La
Restinga, a very poor neighbourhood in💱 Porto Alegre. I had a very poor childhood, so to
speak.
"But my family taught me that humility and values are💱 much more important than
material things and that has saved me on many occasions."
Chelsea ended up signing
Raheem Sterling and💱 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as their new attackers following the
failed move for Raphinha. Thomas Tuchel was very keen on the Brazilian💱 at the time, but
the German was unable to get his man.
Fortunately for the Blues, Sterling has started
really well💱 at Stamford Bridge. So far, the England international has scored three
goals in the Premier League, which makes him the💱 side's top scorer in the
division.
There's so much more to come, though, from the former Manchester City man.
Meanwhile, Aubameyang💱 is yet to feature for Chelsea in the Premier League but did so
show glimpses of what he can offer💱 the team on his debut earlier in the week against
Dinamo Zagreb.
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