Raphinha publicly addresses Leeds United exit links
Leeds winger Raphinha has admitted for the first time that he could leave the club this summer, and says the World Cup will play a part in his decision.
The Brazilian star has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona [Sport], but after avoiding relegation from the Premier League the Whites are demanding at least £60m to let him leave [The Athletic].
While currently on international duty with the Seleccao, the 25-year-old admitted that he could leave Elland Road this summer but said if he ends up staying he will give his best to ensure he is in the World Cup squad at the end of the year.
“If I said it doesn’t matter, I’d be lying, especially knowing that there are less than six months to go until the World Cup,” he said, as quoted by Sport [June 4].
“I have to be active at the club where I am, this weighs on my decision, but I am confident in my potential. If it is to continue at Leeds or to leave, I am going to give my best, find my space and I am going to try be well for the World Cup.
“On Monday [June 6] there is the match against Japan and, afterwards, I will go on vacation.
“I have a contract with Leeds until 2024 and my future is in the hands of Deco, who is my agent, and in those of Leeds.
“I am now focused on the Seleçao in this last game of the season and also on my vacation, because we all need to rest.
“I have a valid contract and these issues are resolved by my representative, when something is closed, he informs me.”
Professional
Raphinha has been nothing but professional throughout this entire saga so far, and that continued when he made his first comments about it all.
He didn’t demand a transfer, he didn’t play victim but he also didn’t tell any lies to the fans and that’s important.
It’s good to know that if a deal doesn’t work out between Leeds and Barcelona or anyone else that he intends to just get his head down and get on with it.
He’s such an important player to this squad and even when everyone is at their best, it’s him who stands out head and shoulders above everyone else as the best player at the club.
Raphinha would be a huge loss, so it’s great news that he has no problem staying put if that’s the way the cookie crumbles this summer.
There’s no pressure on Leeds to sell and he will be a regular if he stays, meaning his World Cup place won’t be under threat.
In other Leeds news, the Whites want to sign this international midfielder that Wayne Rooney loves