Leeds United star Raphinha requests to miss Australia tour amid transfer interest
Leeds United ace Raphinha has asked to miss the club’s pre-season tour of Australia in order to secure a transfer, according to the Daily Mail.
The Brazilian international has been Leeds’ star man since arriving from Rennes in 2020 and was instrumental in the club avoiding relegation last season.
Interest in his services has been high this summer and the Daily Mail reported late on Friday night (8 July) that he has now asked to miss the club’s tour Down Under.
The report outlined that while Chelsea had a £60million bid accepted by Leeds earlier in the summer, the player wants a move to Barcelona despite their financial issues.
Manager Jesse Marsch admitted he did not know if Raphinha would travel after The Whites’ friendly win over Blackpool this week, but now it seems that he will remain in England.
Get this over with
Whether he is staying or going, Leeds need to get Raphinha’s long-running saga over and done with as soon as possible.
The concern for Leeds fans all summer has been sourcing a replacement for the ace, but the situation has now changed.
Leeds wrapped up the signing of Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord earlier this week, freeing up Raphinha to leave if the right bid comes in.
While it would be great if he stayed and linked up with Sinisterra, the whole saga is just getting tiresome now.
Leeds have their replacement and Chelsea are ready to close the signing if Barcelona cannot stump up the cash, but the player keeps delaying to get his dream Blaugrana move.
Ben Jacobs reported on Friday afternoon (8 July) that Barcelona have presented a package equal to that of Chelsea’s, so the end may finally be in sight.
Regardless, the saga cannot drag on for too much longer as Leeds look toward a bright future under Marsch.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has tipped the club to tie up a move for Sonny Perkins.