This will come as no shock to Leeds fans, yet another club interested in one of their prize assets, and while most fans are resigned to the fact Raphinha will be leaving this summer, most had anticipated him leaving for Barcelona.
We had hoped with all of Barcelona’s money problems, and the club standing firm in their valuation of the Brazilian, that all this talk would go away and we could all live happily ever after. Well that doesn’t really happen as a Leeds fan does it?
Many times in the past we have raised a talent to see them sold on, usually for a pittance, but this time around it feels different, different in the fact we don’t need to sell. We look to be in a good place financially, bringing in good quality players, beating big clubs to their signature, and not the usual fear of impending doom that we will lose our best players and be left with the scraps on transfer deadline day.
Arsenal have genuine interest in Raphinha since March, he’s always been appreciated – but there’s still no bid or negotiation with Leeds. Gabriel Jesus & Tielemans, priorities. ⚪️🔴 #AFC
Leeds won’t accept less than €55m for Raphinha, as of now – message sent to Barça days ago. https://t.co/i0Pnqd7Pty— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 10, 2022
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, there is genuine interest from Arsenal, but Raphinha is an elite player and elite players play in the Champions League and challenge for titles every season. Don’t get me wrong, I like Arsenal, I would even go as far to say I have a soft spot for them, but they won’t be the team that lures him away from Elland Road.
He has his heart set on Barcelona, but as it stands, and if things don’t drastically improve for the Spanish giants, they simply can not afford his services.
Leeds would then run the risk of letting him enter the final year of his contract if they choose to keep hold of him. A huge gamble as he could then leave next summer or even this January, for a lot less than his current valuation. Is it worth the risk or should Leeds cash in now for maximum value? Personally, I would try all I could to keep him, but I’m not the one who writes the cheques at Elland Road. One thing for certain, whoever secures his signature, has one hell of a player on their hands.