Leeds United told to sell Raphinha for a lot of money after £33.5m transfer reveal
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Paul Robinson has urged Leeds United to cash in on Raphinha with his agent Deco reportedly in advanced talks with Barcelona.
On 25 March, Guardian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported via his personal Twitter account that while the 25-year-old’s representative is deep in discussions with Barca, negotiations with Leeds are yet to start.
It remains to be seen what Barcelona will offer for Raphinha and how much Leeds will value him at. However, Mirror journalist David Anderson recently claimed on 29 March that the La Liga giants are readying an offer of £33.5million.
It is understood that Leeds will not sell Raphinha “on the cheap”, which suggests that aforementioned price-tag won’t be enough to swap the Yorkshire club into offloading their star man.
Either way, Robinson wouldn’t mind seeing the back of the Brazil winger – as long as Leeds get a decent enough fee to be able to afford a rebuild on their squad in the summer.
“It’s the right decision to sell him,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“I wouldn’t try to stop it and I’d try to get as much money as I can for him.
“I think he’s had an indifferent season and we’ve seen a change in his attitude at times.
“[Marcelo] Bielsa’s pulled him out of the team, he hasn’t been the player he was last season and if you keep him for another year, there’s a chance his valuation will drop again.
“Now is the perfect time to sell him, put the money into the squad and rebuild.
“Leeds need three or four new signings to strengthen for next season and with that type of money for one player that you can’t guarantee will perform week in, week out, he’s a luxury player.“
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay’s been raving about an English midfielder who he’s heard linked with the Whites.