Raphinha could be first out of Leeds United door after Sky Sports footage emerges – pundit
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...
Raphinha could “be the first one out of the door” at Leeds United this summer in order to fund new signings, according to Paul Robinson.
Raphinha, 25, has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona with Diario Sport reporting on 24 May that the Brazilian has told Leeds that he wants to move on this summer to join the La Liga club.
After Leeds’ draw with Brighton on 15 May, Raphinha looked dejected on the pitch and had to be consoled by Kalvin Phillips after what looked to be his final match at Elland Road.
But then, after the win over Brentford that confirmed survival, footage emerged of Raphinha wildly celebrating the stands with Leeds fans and walking the length of the pitch on his knees.
Raphinha supposedly did this as in South American, it’s a ritual that thanks god for granting a wish [ITV].
Still, Raphinha’s role in the win at Brentford and the following celebrations are, in the eyes in the of Robinson, his final acts as a Leeds United player.
“I thought it was really passionate, the way he celebrated. It clearly meant a lot to him,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“It was a passion we haven’t seen in every game throughout the season and I think it’s a side we would have liked to have seen more of.
“I suspect we’ve seen the last of him in a Leeds shirt but you don’t know.
“It all depends on the finances.
“They’ve been guilty of huge under-recruitment both this season and last season, which has almost cost them a place in the Premier League.
“This could have been a very different conversation because of their lack of recruitment and that’s inevitably what would have cost them.
“If the finances aren’t there to sign new players, Raphinha has to go for them to strengthen that side because they can’t afford another season like this season.
“They have to grow and they have to grow into a Premier League team.
“Their first season was excellent, the second season they stayed up by the skin of their teeth and they now have to grow and become an established Premier League team.
“If the finances aren’t there to do that, they have to sell players and Raphinha will be the first one out of the door.”
Raphinha scored 11 goals in 35 Premier League appearances this season.
In other Leeds United news, this player is set to undergo a medical “soon” with the Whites.