West Ham ‘cheeky’ bids for Leeds United duo Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips – 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 and Kalvin Phillips will leave Leeds United for bigger and better clubs than West Ham, according to Paul Robinson.
West Ham tabled late January bids to sign Raphinha [90min] and Phillips [Guardian] as they aimed to strengthen their bid to finish in the Premier League’s top-four this season.
Of course, both bids were kicked into touch by the Whites but Robinson feels as though there’ll come a time when regular Champions League clubs will move for the Elland Road star duo.
“It was audacious by West Ham,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“I don’t think Leeds and West Ham are that far apart.
“I know West Ham are pushing for top-four but in years gone by and the stature of the club, I think if you’re going to leave Leeds – like Phillips and Raphinha are touted to do – you’d go for guaranteed Champions League football.
“It’s slightly better than a sideways move but I can see bigger and better clubs than West Ham coming in for those two players and being tested with a bid in the summer.
“Champions League clubs will come in for them and I just thought it was cheeky of West Ham to come and try and take two of Leeds’ best players.”
West Ham can’t be blamed for trying their luck.
Raphinha has been a star in the Premier League this season and has easily been Leeds’ best player – and also Brazil’s in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
As for Phillips, everyone saw at the European Championships how well he can play alongside West Ham star Declan Rice.
In other Leeds United news, a journalist has dropped an exciting transfer update as “big-names” mooted for the summer.