Speaking recently on a video for Leeds Live, Beren Cross discussed the reported interest in Leeds United winger Raphinha.
Having joined Leeds from Stade Rennais last October, Raphinha has quickly made the £16.72 million fee he cost Marcelo Bielsa’s side appear an inspired piece of business from Victor Orta and the Leeds transfer team.
Over the 24-year-old’s 21 Premier League appearances for the Whites this season, the £16.2 million-rated winger has scored five goals and provided five assists, as well as averaging a highly impressive WhoScored match rating of 7.14 – ranking him as the club’s best performer in the top flight.
As a result of his fine performances, it has been reported (via Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte) that a number of big clubs are interested in the possibility of signing the Brazilian this summer, however, speaking on a video for Leeds Live, Cross stated his belief that there is not much substance to these reports.
He said: “Evidently, the nationals and the red tops, especially, are not leaving him alone at the moment. I mean, we’re told there’s very, very little in these stories. We sit in on a lot of these press conferences that a lot of these stories come from, and there’s just nothing really in it.
“I think in a lot of cases, it’s taking a big football club, currently their best player, and joining the dots on the typical trajectory a player might take. And, obviously, they’re trying to sell newspapers off the back of that and take web hits off the back of it.
“So, we’re very, very, very confident in the people that we talk to that there’s very little in it. He’s only been here five minutes and I think even Deco, his agent, will be telling him – that even if the long-term game is to play for Barcelona or Real [Madrid] or win the Champions League or play for Brazil in the World Cup – there’s no sense in staying at Leeds for one season.
“I mean, I’m sure he’s going to be here for at least two or three, based on how well he’s doing. And, if Leeds match his trajectory, then there’s no real excuse from him to ever leave, is there?”
Do you think Raphinha will leave this summer?
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TIF Thoughts on Beren Cross’ comments regarding Raphinha…
While Cross’ last comment could perhaps be considered as wishful thinking, in our opinion, it would indeed make very little sense for Raphinha to depart Leeds so soon after joining the club.
Having already shown he is one of the better players in the side, remaining at Elland Road for, at the very least, another season – allowing him to develop under a world-renowned coach like Marcelo Bielsa as well as gaining valuable playing time in the Premier League – would appear to be a much better option than a move to Manchester United or a Liverpool, where game time and, subsequently, development could be much harder to come by.