David Prutton: Leeds could value Raphinha close to £100million
David Prutton has insisted that Leeds United could value Raphinha at near £100million after his Brazil breakthrough this week.
All the talk has been about the winger after he made his first start and three appearances for his country, assisting two goals and scoring a brace in the win over Uruguay.
The Sky Sports pundit believes that big clubs will now be sniffing, mentioning the likes of Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
Writing in his Yorkshire Evening Post column, Prutton made the transfer claim as he looked at the interest bound to come knocking.
“It’s amazing what this little window of games with Brazil has done for him,” he wrote. “Once you mention one of the big clubs for Raphinha then you get the feeling that the rest of them will be sniffing around
“Valuation wise, it will be whatever people are willing to play for him.
“It’s a fascinating debate and I don’t quite see where the price sits right now but you are getting towards the £100m marker I would think given the market rate.”
£100million?
Wow, simply wow.
This would be impossible for anyone to turn down, no matter what you think of Raphinha, that sort of investment could catapult the Whites up the Premier League table yet again.
Andrea Radrizzani doesn’t look as though he will be funding another spending spree similar to the one after our promotion so selling players and reinvesting could be the smart road.
Look at Leicester’s model in recent years, they have sold the likes of Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kante, Harry Maguire and Ben Chilwell but still manage to battle for the Champions League each year.
It is all because they pump that money back into the side smartly, and bring in European players for cheaper prices who are ready to shine.
Could Leeds be that next club? We aren’t for one minute suggesting that we want Raphinha to leave, but after this week, there is an awful feeling at the back of our minds that it is becoming inevitable.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay: The Whites are set for more major investment in 21/22 with the 49ers ready for an equity change