Leeds United price tag on Raphinha put Barcelona deal on rocks
Leeds United are digging in their heels over Raphinha’s future but are still scouting out replacements in case he leaves, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reports the Catalan giants would struggle to meet the Whites’ £60million asking price for the 25-year-old Brazilian which may out a move to the Nou Camp under threat.
Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are all keeping close tabs on Raphinha too should a deal with the La Liga side collapse.
The Daily Mail report that Raphinha would want a bigger challenge than West Ham, who have also been interested in his services which would likely see him leave Elland Road.
There is supposedly a relegation release clause in his contract but with the upturn in form under Jesse Marsch, it is unlikely to become active this summer.
It is understood that scouting efforts are being made for a potential replacement and “they are open to replacing Raphinha with a winger of experience but will want a sizeable bid to offset any spend on his successor.”
Let him go
In terms of attacking talent, Raphinha is head and shoulders above anybody else at Leeds United right now.
But that is also why he is being scouted by some of the world’s most prestigious clubs for a huge price tag.
£60million would go a very long way to helping Marsch build next season’s Leeds side under his philosophy and with the right additions, they could surpass any previous Premier League finish since their return.
It will be a sad day when the 25-year-old leaves LS11 for pastures new somewhere else but you have to admit that he has deserved and, more importantly, earned the chance to prove himself among Europe’s elite.
Marsch will already be working on a plan of how he would spend that mouth-watering amount of money should Raphinha leave and his replacement would surely come at a fraction of the price.
In other Leeds United news, Elland Road needs a facelift if it is going to be selected to host international games after a major UK development this week.