Journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed on The Done Deal Show that Raphinha is not guaranteed to leave Leeds United this summer.
It’s been well reported that Barcelona hold an interest in Raphinha, but given their financial problems and the fact that Leeds have slapped a price tag in excess of £45m on the winger (as per Fabrizio Romano via Metro), it has allowed other clubs such as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to take a look at him.
Raphinha has been a sensation at Elland Road since arriving back in the summer of 2020 for just £16m, racking up 29 goal involvements across all competitions, with the most important ones coming on the final day of last season which saw them maintain their Premier League status.
Despite a lot of talk about his future being away from Elland Road, Jacobs doesn’t believe that it’s a guarantee Raphinha will be leaving Leeds.
Will Leeds leave Raphinha?
Yes!
No!
He said: “I think if they lose Raphinha and don’t replace him – or even if they keep Raphinha – if they don’t find that focal point, that source of goals, they’re going to once again be in big, big trouble next season.
“So I think from Leeds’ point of view, they won’t sanction Raphinha’s sale before they line up a source of goals, and that’s not going to happen overnight, and therefore, they need to be in a position where they drag this out over the summer if – and it is still an if – Raphinha is going to be sold.”
TIF Thoughts on Raphinha’s future…
While Leeds have been very active and smart already in the transfer market, bringing in two new recruits and looking set to add a third in the form of Marc Roca from Bayern Munich, a couple of signings wouldn’t be able to accommodate for the loss of Raphinha given his impact at the club – especially if Kalvin Phillips also leaves, with the midfielder set to be the subject of a bid from Manchester City.
Without Raphinha last season, Leeds would have almost certainly been relegated into the Championship, as his 14 goal involvements were way more than anyone else in the squad, so it’s no surprise that they wish to have a replacement or two lined up before sanctioning his sale.