Phil Hay shares if Leeds will entertain bids for Raphinha in January
Phil Hay has insisted it would make no sense for Leeds United to entertain bids from clubs for Raphinha in January.
After making his Brazil debut during this international break, the world was in awe as the winger was involved in four goals.
Hay has responded to concerns from Leeds fans, insisting that most of the big clubs don’t tend to do their business in January.
Writing in his pre-match discussion for The Athletic, Hay responded to fan concerns on the future of our star man.
“Re: Raphinha – I see no sense at all in Leeds entertaining bids in January,” he wrote.
“It’s not like his value is going to diminish and you’re unsettling your squad at a key point of the season. Add to that the fact that the most elite clubs don’t tend to do big deals in January.
“If they’re doing a Grealish or a Kane for example, those offers tend to come in the summer window because there’s more time to negotiate and value for money tends to be slightly better.”
No chance.
As Hay mentions, it would make zero sense for Leeds to let Raphinha leave in January for numerous reasons.
No matter what the money is, the Whites simply have to say no.
The most obvious reason to keep the Brazil star is his obvious class, we would find it almost impossible to replace him immediately in January.
Another is that given Marcelo Bielsa’s relentless training and fitness demands, it would take weeks if not months to get a new signing up to speed.
That means that no matter how much money we spent or whoever we brought in, they wouldn’t be 100% ready until towards the end of the season and we would need an immediate impact.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay: The Whites are set for more major investment in 21/22 with the 49ers ready for an equity change