Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that Leeds United star Raphinha is the type of player that Premier League rivals Spurs need but he may be out of reach in terms of their budget.
Raphinha has been the star man for Leeds this season – he is the Whites’ top scorer in the Premier League after scoring nine goals, while has he has also registered three assists. There was speculation of a move away from Elland Road in January for the Brazilian but a deal didn’t go through.
The winger has a reported release clause in his contract of £70m, so Leeds will be getting a significant sum for their man if he were to leave Elland Road in the summer.
Whilst talking to GIVEMESPORT, Pete O’Rourke said that Raphinha would be perfect for Spurs but he isn’t sure if Daniel Levy will be keen on forking out £70 million for him.
“I think he’s the type of player that Spurs need to be looking at if they are to close the gap on the top sides across Europe. So yeah, I think it’d be a good one, but I think he just might be out of Tottenham’s reach right now,” O’Rourke said.
With O’Rourke’s claims, we noted two knock-on effects that a move away from Elland Road would have for Leeds.
Massive blow for Jesse Marsch?
If Raphinha was to leave Elland Road in the summer, it would be a huge loss for Marsch as he would be losing his top scorer this season. The Brazilian winger is still only 25-years-old, so has plenty of time left in his career to improve and show the world what he can do.
The Brazilian winger has arguably been Leeds’s most consistent performer this season, and he has an average player rating over the past 12 months of 7.01, so it will be a massive blow for Marsch if he was to depart in the summer for a ‘bigger’ club.
Allow funds for new players?
If Leeds were to part ways with their main man, and potentially received a fee of £70 million for him, they could use this money to bring in some more exciting new talent to the club.
In January, former boss Marcelo Bielsa had two bids for Brenden Aaronson rejected, and with the American connection that Marsh has with him, it is expected that they will go again for him in the summer.
With the second rejected bid being in the reign of £20 million, they could use the Raphinha money to up the price and ensure that they get him through the door.
Getting a significant sum of money in would also be good news for Andrea Radrizzani and boosting the financial coffers, and rather than perhaps dipping into his own pocket, he can use the Raphinha money for Marsch to strengthen his squad with.