da esport bet： Raphinha is holding out over a new Leeds United contract ahead of the summer transfer window…
What’s the word?
da brwin： That’s according to Goal.com, who claim that the 25-year-old is waiting to see what offers he receives from some of Europe’s top teams after rejecting the Whites’ two approaches to discuss a new deal during the January transfer window.
It’s thought that Raphinha would like to stay in the Premier League but he would rather join a team regularly competing for silverware, which may put Liverpool and Chelsea on high alert, who have previously been linked with interest.
The Brazil international is under contract until the summer of 2024 and is currently valued at £36m, as per Transfermarkt, though it remains to be seen exactly how much the Yorkshire giants would sanction his exit for.
Heading for disaster
This appears to be a recipe for disaster heading into the summer as it seems as if Raphinha isn’t likely to extend his current deal and would rather join one of their arch-rivals.
The prospect of watching the former Stade Rennes man in action for another team in England has to be a troubling thought for many supporters at Elland Road.
Raphinha has carried the bulk of Leeds’ attacking prospects this term, largely due to the continued absence of last season’s top goalscorer Patrick Bamford. Indeed, he has found the net more than anyone else on eight goals. That’s double the next best (Dan James and Jack Harrison on four goals).
He also leads the squad for creativity (two assists, two key passes per game) and is evidently their biggest threat in the final third, also averaging more shots (2.9 per game) and dribbles (2.3 per game) than anyone else, via WhoScored.
His teammates have regularly waxed lyrical about his ability and influence on the pitch – James once dubbed him “a magician”, whilst goalkeeper Illan Meslier described him as an “unbelievable player” and “a storm.”
Another consequence of his potential departure would be the lack of squad depth behind him. His exit should force the club into making moves in the transfer market and if they aren’t well-prepared for this, then it could leave them panicking.
This update is certainly a major cause for concerns and it appears as if Bielsa and co are imminently heading for a massive disaster over their star player. Both the manager and the fanbase will be absolutely furious by this huge update.
AND in other news, Leeds dealt another “massive blow” ahead of Man Utd clash, Bielsa will be gutted…