Phil Hay had claimed that Raphinha’s unclear future is stopping Leeds United from potentially signing a new striker.
Even when last season was still playing out, it appeared clear that Raphinha would be departing Leeds, with Barcelona looking a likely destination, only for the Catalan side to be unable to finance any such move.
This has since allowed Chelsea to jump ahead in the queue, although the player appears to be stalling on the move and holding out for a switch to La Liga – but that is not just impacting Raphinha’s own future, as it appears to be restricting what Leeds can do in the transfer market as they need to bring in some funds.
Raphinha not sorting out his future is stopping Leeds from being able to fund a move for a new striker, according to Hay, who has been speaking on the latest episode of The Phil Hay Show.
Will Leeds sign a new striker?
Yes!
No!
He said: “They have got themselves into a position where they’re flying to Australia this weekend with the squad not far off being done. I think they’ve got one major deal to do, which is a forward to come in, and that really seems to depend as well on Raphinha going out, so they’re in good shape.”
TIF Thoughts on Leeds’ striker search…
It had been reported earlier in the summer that Leeds were very much interested in a move for former loanee Eddie Nketiah, only for the striker to make a dramatic U-turn and sign a new contract with Arsenal.
With Patrick Bamford coming off the back of an injury-plagued campaign, it’s no surprise that Leeds and Jesse Marsch are looking to bolster their striker department as they can’t have a repeat of last season’s tussle with relegation.