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Darren Bent is ‘devastated’ with Leeds United star Raphinha joining Chelsea
Darren Bent has expressed his disappointment at Arsenal losing the battle to sign Leeds United star winger Raphinha, with Chelsea closing in.
The 25-year-old, who has been attracting interest from a number of clubs in Europe, is reportedly close to sealing a move to the Stamford Bridge
Bent, while talking to talkSPORT as quoted by HITC, suggested that the lack of Champions League football is the primary reason for the Brazil international’s decision to snub interest from the Gunners.
“Obviously, you are disappointed because you want the best players,” he said. “How can Arsenal, at the minute, compete with Chelsea?
“They are throwing their money about and they are playing Champions League football. They are the closest, I would say, to catching Liverpool or Manchester City, so I can understand a player in that position, why would you not opt to go to Chelsea?
“Raphinha they can get over the line, I am devastated because I think he’s a really, really good player. He’s neat and tidy. Reminds me a bit of Mahrez, with the way he moves – but Arsenal aren’t in the Champions League and Chelsea are.”
Star of Leeds
Regardless of whether you ask Jesse Marsch or former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa, both would definitely have high regard for Raphinha.
If the Whites are still in the Premier League, the Brazil international has a lot of credit due for that because of his outstanding performances in the previous campaign.
The 25-year-old played 35 Premier League games in the recently concluded season, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists.
He contributed to 33% of the overall Premier League goals scored by the Whites and started 89% of matches [Transfermarkt].
Those numbers are a testament to why there were so many clubs after the 25-year-old and it seems that Chelsea are going to win the race.
However, what’s more important here is that Leeds’ top-tier management must ensure that they will reinvest the money generated from the departure of their star player or else they will have a similar kind of mess to deal with come the end of the season.
In other Leeds United news, this Leeds player has arrived in a European city to undergo a medical before leaving Elland Road permanently.