Noted journalist Fabrizio Romano has been discussing the future of Leeds United’s Raphinha amid reports about a potential transfer away.
The Brazilian’s agent, former Premier League player Deco, has recently come out and claimed that Liverpool were after the services of the 24-year-old this past summer. Raphinha has been in rather impressive form since making the move to Elland Road, with nine goals and nine assists under Marcelo Bielsa.
Speaking on the latest edition of the Here We Go podcast, Romano appeared to confirm Deco’s claims surrounding the Brazilian, but added that Leeds United were never going to allow him to be sold.
However, he did also claim that it won’t just be Liverpool that Leeds have got to watch out for in future transfer windows when it comes to teams wanting his services:
He said: “At the moment with Leeds, it’s not an easy moment. It’s true that Liverpool wanted him, as his agent revealed – his agent is Deco, former Barcelona midfielder – but Leeds had no plans to sell him, he will be a player to watch, I think, next summer, because many clubs have the name of Raphinha on their list, not only Liverpool.”
TIF Thoughts on Fabrizio Romano’s comments about Raphinha at Leeds United…
Will Raphinha still be a Leeds United player at the start of next season?
Yes
No
Whilst Raphinha was part of a rather remarkable season at Elland Road during Leeds’ return to the Premier League, the same cannot be said for how Bielsa’s men have started this campaign, only winning once and currently sitting 17th.
And given how productive he has been for them, it’s obvious to see why there might be plenty of clubs that want to try and sign him, especially as he still has a very bright future at the age of just 24.
So whilst Leeds were able to keep hold of him this past summer, they are really going to have to pull their finger out this season and get back on track towards the upper echelons of the table.
Because unless Leeds can turn into a Premier League heavyweight under Bielsa, there will likely always be bigger and better opportunities out there for him, and you wouldn’t blame him for wanting to take one of those on, even if it means forcing his way out of the club to make it happen.
In other news: ‘Might as well hang up his boots’ – Many Leeds fans blast 21 y/o who ‘spat the dummy out’