Raphinha contract talks still live, Leeds United release clause likely – Phil Hay
Raphinha is still in talks with Leeds United over a new contract but it’s likely to include a release clause, according to The Athletic journalist Phil Hay.
Goal reported earlier this week [16 February] that Raphinha, 25, snubbed two approaches by Leeds in January to get him to sign a new contract with him holding out for offers from top clubs.
However, speaking on latest episode of The Phil Hay Show podcast today [18 February], Hay has all but rubbished that, suggesting that talks are still on track and Raphinha is happy with the money that’s being offered to him.
“The contract talks are still live – although he hasn’t signed one,” said The Athletic’s Leeds reporter.
“As recently as the back-end of last month, there was a lot of confidence at Leeds that he would sign and I think it’s very likely that any deal would have to include a release clause because that’s how it is with players of that ilk.
“From what I can understand, [he’s] pretty happy with the wage offer that’s been made but he didn’t look happy on Saturday [after being taken off at Everton] and he won’t have been happy either.”
No release clause
We will be gutted if Raphinha’s new contract features a release clause because it means that his future is out of Leeds’ hands.
It’ll no doubt be a massive fee – a club-record one for Leeds – but still, we’d rather avoid losing the Brazil international at all costs.
He’s our most gifted player and has been our most important player this season because, without his eight goals, we’d be in the Premier League relegation zone.
However, the issue is that Raphinha could start for all but a few teams in the Premier League. You can only say with great confidence that Liverpool and Manchester City are the only clubs where he wouldn’t be guaranteed starts.
Raphinha’s value to Leeds will supersede any release clause fee but we understand why the Brazilian may want one.
Let’s face it, he’s not going to stick around forever but we might as well get a truck load of cash for the ex-Rennes winger when he does go.
It’ll be a sad day when that happens and it’s likely to happen within the next 12 months.
In other Leeds United news, a “fantastic” player could be sold to Leeds in June with one deal 99 per cent dead.