Phil Hay: High likelihood that Raphinha will report for first day of Leeds United pre-season
Phil Hay has reported that there is a “high likelihood” of Raphinha reporting for duty at Thorp Arch as Leeds United begin pre-season training soon.
The Athletic journalist has reported that despite crazy interest from Barcelona, no move is close and the Whites could even demand up to £70million.
Raphinha is expected to be given extra time off due to international commitments with Brazil, but he is likely to still be a Leeds player when pre-season starts with no rush to cash in.
Writing for The Athletic on Friday morning [04 June], Hay shared the latest news regarding the Brazilian and his immediate future over the next month.
“With the 2022-23 calendar rejigged to accommodate a winter World Cup, this off-season is so short that Leeds are due to begin pre-season training in a matter of weeks,” he wrote.
“At this juncture, there is a high likelihood that Raphinha will be with them when they do, albeit after some extra time off to compensate for international duty.
“Where this ends remains to be seen but Leeds are in the box seat, with no reason to bend on their price, rush into anything or do anyone any favours – Barcelona least of all.”
Buzzing.
The longer this Barcelona saga continues, the more likely we believe that Raphinha is going nowhere.
Deco can push for the move all he likes, but the winger is contracted to Leeds and if their asking price isn’t met, why should they just buckle and let him leave for nothing?
We don’t understand what is going on at the Nou Camp – they appear to be targeting every player under the sun without actually having the money to do it?
Who do they think they are? If they continue doing this, there is more chance of them going bankrupt and ceasing to exist than signing Raphinha.
Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers Enterprises are already pumping money into new blockbuster transfers, so that could persuade the winger that Elland Road is the place to be.
Should he return to Thorp Arch, as usual, enjoy the pre-season trip to Australia and then thrive in the Premier League, we could even see a new contract signed.
Leeds aren’t harming his Brazil chances ahead of the World Cup and his career isn’t ending soon so silverware isn’t an immediate concern – let’s cross everything so that we can come to an agreement.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are readying a new bid for a blockbuster striker signing according to Phil Hay after Premier League survival