Raphinha unlikely to join Newcastle after Leeds United survival
Raphinha is ‘unlikely’ to join Newcastle United this season despite them monitoring him, after Leeds United avoided relegation from the Premier League.
The Brazilian has been linked with a mega-money move to Barcelona this summer [Sport], but is yet to seal a deal away from the club after scoring a penalty on the final day of the season to help the Whites stay up.
But a fresh report from The Telegraph [May 27] claims that Newcastle were also looking at a deal for the 25-year-old and had been monitoring him ahead of their potential relegation.
However with the player’s £25m release clause now inactive after the club retained their Premier League status, the Magpies have moved away from trying to do a deal and are instead targeting Bundesliga winger Moussa Diaby.
Links for Raphinha to move to Spain continue, but it’s now deemed as unlikely he moves to Newcastle as Eddie Howe targets different players to bolster his squad with.
No surprise
Raphinha is the most likely man to leave Elland Road this summer, with reports quite clear that the player wants to move to Barcelona to further his career and play at a higher level.
But even that is far from certain with Leeds holding all the cards as they demand a big fee for one of their most prized assets, who has a contract that expires in 2024.
If Barcelona aren’t willing to match the price that the Whites want for him then there is no reason for Andrea Radrizzani to sell on the cheap because there is no pressure anymore.
Ideally the club would keep him, but the player has made it clear he doesn’t want to sign a new contract and it could lead to a stand-off between player and club.
But ultimately it won’t be Newcastle who come in and match Leeds’ asking price, as they have now moved on from him and are targeting other players in his position.
In other Leeds news, the club are interested in signing another South American from one of their fierce rivals