‘Victor Orta should feel ashamed’ – Graham Smyth claims Leeds signed attacker for crazy price
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth has claimed that Leeds United could already double their money on Raphinha.
The winger, who signed from Rennes in the summer for £17m, has established himself in the Leeds first-team and excited the fans with his attacking flair.
Talking on the latest episode of the Inside Elland Road podcast, Smyth said, “I tell you who I really like, Raphinha. I think he is… £17m, Victor Orta should feel ashamed.
“Sorry to interrupt you,” said Joe Urquhart, “but do you know why I think it took so long on deadline day? Do you think it’s because Orta fell off his seat because they accepted… ‘oh just give us £17m’.”
“He took off on a victory lap round Elland Road and they couldn’t get him back in for his signature,” replied Smyth.
“£17m, it looks so good. What I really like about him, which is really different to what Helder Costa and Ian Poveda offer… Raphinha plays as a second striker, he’s making these runs, not just to the back post but crisscrossing with Patrick Bamford. I think he’s going to score goals.
“If they sold him right now they’d double their money.”
Champions League level player
Raphinha is certainly looking like the buy of a very successful summer for Leeds.
He’s slotted into the Leeds side perfectly and deposed Helder Costa from that right-wing role.
Raphinha himself said he felt ‘devalued’ when Rennes sold him for £17m and said he had been focusing on playing in the Champions League.
Rennes’ loss is most definitely Leeds’ gain, though, and Raphinha offers a second major goal threat for Bielsa’s side.
According to WyScout, he’s taken an average of three shots per 90 minutes and attempted six dribbles per 90 this season.
Compare that to just one shot per 90 from Helder Costa and you can see the added threat that Raphinha poses.
He looks a class above Costa at the moment and Orta should be congratulated for pulling off what looks like one of the deals of last summer.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Absolute steal’, ‘100% a come & get me’ – Many Leeds fans react to update on former ER striker