Leeds United: Agent speaks out about why Raphina left Elland Road as ‘serious’ admission made
Deco has revealed that he “didn’t push hard” for Raphinha to leave Leeds United and join Barcelona in 2022.
Speaking to FourFourTwo on Thursday (15 February), the Brazilian international’s agent, who is now the Director of Football at Camp Nou, said the former Whites star was “very serious and professional” with the West Yorkshire club before he left Elland Road.
He revealed that Leeds wanted to sell the 27-year-old and that a bigger offer than the La Liga side’s came in from Chelsea, but he insisted that there was a “mutual agreement” in the winger joining the Catalans.
“Actually, I didn’t push hard,” said Deco. “You know, club presidents don’t usually tell the whole story. Raphinha was very serious and professional with Leeds.
“He had a clause that if they were relegated, his price would drop to €20million (£17.1million), and he was the best player when Leeds needed him most – he ran the most, worked the hardest, and I, as his agent, would be incapable of influencing any player for my own benefit.
“Leeds wanted to sell Raphinha. Then bids came in, even bigger than Barcelona’s. The owner of Chelsea (Todd Boehly) called me and insisted a lot, putting pressure on me – he really wanted to sign Raphinha.
“But I didn’t push hard for Raphinha to leave Leeds. It was all by mutual agreement.”
Raphinha was always going to leave Leeds United
It always looked like Raphinha was going to leave Leeds after he put in a number of superb performances to draw the attention of some of European football’s biggest clubs.
He eventually ended up joining Barcelona in 2022 when Chelsea were chasing his signature as they began their huge spending spree at Stamford Bridge.
The Brazilian wanted to head to La Liga and you would think Deco would have had some influence in getting that deal over the line due to his links to the Spanish club.
The winger has had a mixed time since leaving Elland Road, having scored 14 goals and laying on 19 assists in his 71 appearances at Camp Nou.
He is probably one of the few players that the Whites fans won’t have begrudged leaving over the past few years as it was an opportunity he really couldn’t turn down.
In other Leeds United news, Ally McCoist has reacted to what Daniel Farke said about a controversial incident.
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