Your Leeds United transfer round-up for Thursday, January 12.
Raphinha exit touted already
Calciomercato suggest Barcelona are considering cutting ties with Raphinha just six months after his arrival. Leeds sold the Brazilian to the La Liga giants for around £50million last summer.
Last year, the 26-year-old was integral in keeping a poor Whites side in the Premier League. A possible move away plagued the transfer agenda at Elland Road throughout the campaign and he finally got his wish in July.
But the big-money move has, so far, failed to live up to expectations. Raphinha has only completed an entire 90 minutes once since arriving at the Camp Nou. Two goals in 15 games and a poor World Cup for Brazil has sparked rumours about a potential early exit.
Leeds in the lead
French outlet Media Foot claim Leeds are front runners to sign Lens talisman Seko Fofana. The Whites are light in the engine room after the departure of long-serving midfielder Mateusz Klich.
An Ivory Coast international, Fofana is valued at £30million, having penned a recent contract extension until 2027. The 27-year-old is a box-to-box midfielder akin to former Manchester City star and compatriot Yaya Toure.
However, the report suggests any sale is likely to take place in the summer rather than this month.
Firpo could be off
Real Betis want to re-sign Leeds defender Junior Firpo, according to El Desmarque. It was the La Liga outfit who gave the left-back his professional debut in 2017.
A brief stint at Barcelona did not work out until Leeds came calling in 2021. However, injuries and inconsistent form have prevented Firpo from realising his potential.
Pascal Struijk, a natural centre-back, has kept the 26-year-old out of the starting line-up this season. Betis are searching for a new left-back after losing Alex Moreno to Aston Villa.
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