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Leeds United hopeful of concluding Raphinha contract negotiations in January
Leeds United are believed to be making progress in their contract negotiations with Raphinha, according to Phil Hay.
In his latest piece for The Athletic, Hay claims that the Whites expect a positive conclusion to be arrived at before the end of the January transfer window.
This comes after Marcelo Bielsa praised the Brazilian on Friday (January 14) for entering negotiations with the club. [Independent]
Hay wrote, “Talks over a new contract began before Christmas and are understood to be making good progress.
“The club had envisaged finalising an enhanced deal with the 25-year-old Brazil international in the latter stages of this winter transfer window and remain hopeful of bringing negotiations to a positive conclusion before the month is out.
“They are conscious of Raphinha’s intrinsic value and have been receptive to the terms stipulated by the winger and his agent, Deco.
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“Raphinha, for his part, seems prepared to sign.”
Good news
Raphinha is undoubtedly the best player at Leeds and for him to show such an eagerness to sign a new deal means that things are going well behind the scenes.
The Brazilian decided to abandon Champions League football for a chance to play for a newly-promoted Leeds side.
He clearly would not have regretted that decision as he enjoyed a phenomenal first season in the Premier League.
This even catapulted him into contention for a spot in the Brazil side and ahead of the World Cup this year, he seems a nailed on starter for the South American nation.
It could be argued that all this would not have been possible without Bielsa and Leeds so a new contract, in many ways, could be seen as a gesture of gratitude as his future does seem to lie away from Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, Victor Orta will be on the edge as manager tipped to replace Marcelo Bielsa is being linked with a Premier League rival