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Fabrizio Romano: Raphinha may not extend his contract with Leeds United
Brazilian attacker Raphinha may not extend his contract with Leeds United, according to Sky Sports journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The 25-year-old was linked with a January move to Bayern Munich on Christmas Eve by TNT Sports, but the Italian transfer expert has dubbed it fake news, claiming Premier League clubs are ready to move for him in the summer.
The Elland Road outfit are now looking to hand Raphinha a new deal in order to protect their asset and reward him following his eye-catching performances, but Romano has suggested he may not put pen to paper on an extension.
He said on the latest edition of the Here We Go podcast: “Raphinha from Leeds to Bayern was a fake news because it was never a done deal between the clubs.
“Keep an eye on other English clubs for summer. English clubs are interested in Raphinha and I’m not so sure he’s going to extend his contract with Leeds.”
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While it is good news to hear that Bayern are not keen on signing the Whites ace this month, with plans of a new deal for Kingsley Coman hinting strongly at that, that the player is not likely to sign a new contract is a huge blow.
He has only spent around 15 months in Yorkshire after joining from Rennes in a £17million move in October 2020, and holding on to him beyond the end of 2021-22 could prove very very difficult.
Raphinha signed a four-year deal at the time, and while two years will be left on it in the summer, a new deal could help increase the club’s chances of holding on to him.
Leeds will not stop trying, though, but convincing him to commit his future to the club will not be easy as matching his ambitions looks unrealistic for them right now.
He is the reason they are not already in a relegation battle at the moment, and with most of his international teammates currently challenging for major silverware and playing in the Champions League, Raphinha will only be willing to leave for greener pastures.
A lot of clubs will easily double whatever wages Leeds can offer him in a new deal, and that is another factor that should not be ignored.
In other Leeds United news, Whites want to sign int’l striker on loan with move already made.