Leeds United to reject Arsenal bid for Raphinha ‘out of hand’ – The Athletic
Leeds United are set to kick Arsenal’s bid for Raphinha into touch by rejecting it “out of hand”, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.
Writing on The Athletic website on Tuesday night (21 June), Ornstein reported that the Gunners submitted an offer for the 25-year-old Brazil winger earlier that evening but Leeds are expected to turn it down without a second thought.
It is understood that the bid fell well below Leeds’ demands with the Yorkshire giants accepting that Raphinha won’t sign a new contract to extend his stay at Elland Road past 2024.
Ornstein adds that although Raphinha “has not directly asked for a transfer, it is no secret that he sees himself playing in European competition”.
He’d rather join Barcelona but there are major financial issues at the Nou Camp. Chelsea are Raphinha’s “preferred destination” in England while Arsenal are his next choice as well as Tottenham.
Pay up or shut up
If Arsenal really want Raphinha then they’re going to have to pay an acceptable fee for him.
Arsenal have a reputation for lowballing bids for their transfer targets and, at the end of the day, they’re not good enough for the top-four in the Premier League due to their lackadaisical approach to strengthening their squad.
The Londoners are probably just feeling Leeds out at the moment and maybe trying to give Raphinha itchy feet.
But either way, if Barca are his first choice and Chelsea are his second choice, why would he get restless about a bid from Arsenal, who haven’t played in the Champions League since the 2016/17 season?
Arsenal are one of the top-six clubs that have shown signs of progress in the last couple of years but does Raphinha want to join a Champions League club right away or join one that’s struggling to get there?
Right now, bids from Chelsea, Spurs and Barca seem unlikely so Arsenal might be his best bet unless he sticks around at Leeds and waits another year.
However, it’s hard to say what will happen in a year and Raphinha would surely want a new club before the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
In other Leeds United news, Jim White was interrupted live on-air as he shared an update on Raphinha’s situation.