23y/o to jet into UK tomorrow to complete big-money Leeds transfer on deadline day – report
Leeds United are set to complete the signing of Brazilian winger Raphinha from Rennes, according to The Sun.
The newspaper claims that Leeds are paying an initial fee of £15million for the 23-year-old but the cost of the transfer could rise as high as £21million due to add-ons.
It is understood that Raphinga will jet into the UK tomorrow (Monday) to complete a big-money deadline day move to Elland Road.
The Sun adds that Derby County also wanted to sign Raphinha but have been beaten to his signature by Leeds due to the lure of Premier League football.
Plus, we cannot really see how a Championship club like the Rams could afford such a pricey transfer and why Raphinha would quit a Champions League club to join a mid-table second-tier side in England.
Raphinha played a key role in helping Rennes qualify for the Champions League last season as he scored five goals and supplied three assists in 22 Ligue 1 appearances.
He’s also started this season well by assisting two goals in five matches with Rennes currently leading the way at the top of France’s top division.
It could be a while before we see Raphinha starting a Premier League match due to the infamous Marcelo Bielsa settling-in period and even then, there has been nothing to suggest Helder Costa should be dropped from Leeds’ starting line-up.
Although the former Wolves winger was slightly underwhelming in the Championship, he has been brilliant so far in the Premier League.
Raphinha might become the second most expensive player in Leeds’ history on Monday but that doesn’t mean he’s assured of a starting spot by any means.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have offered over £13million for this central midfielder.