Leeds United warned about Raphinha behaviour by Sky pundit as announcement made
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 warned Leeds United about being held to ransom by Raphinha as he looks to pursue a move to Barcelona this summer.
It has been widely reported that Barca are keen on signing the 25-year-old but are yet to meet Leeds’ valuation.
Chelsea have had a bid accepted for Raphinha but the Brazil international would still rather sign for the La Liga outfit despite their lack of funds [Evening Standard].
Raphinha has now been left out of Leeds’ pre-season tour of Australia with the Yorkshire club’s squad list on Saturday (9 July) failing to name the Brazilian winger.
Robinson feel that Leeds are ready to sell Raphinha but they’ll only do it if their demands are met and that it’s done for a fair fee.
“It’s very difficult to keep a player there who doesn’t want to be there and if there are two clubs bidding for him and he’s got a preference, it’s important they get the best deal they can,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“For their own sake, you can’t keep an unhappy player, especially one who can be temperamental at times. It wouldn’t be beneficial to anybody to have him around at the start of the season.
“But at the same time, the club can’t be held to ransom just for the sake of it. They have to do the deal that’s right for them.
“If they do a deal with Chelsea and Barcelona are miles off, they have to dig their heels in and get the right financial package for the club.
“Raphinha can’t hold them ransom just because he prefers somewhere else.
“Leeds have obviously said they’re willing to sell him because these two clubs are in. But they can’t sell him on the cheap because he wants to go somewhere.”
In other Leeds United news, this Leeds player has been spotted on the plane to Australia with the rest of the squad despite major transfer news emerging this weekend.