Raphinha’s father has discussed his son’s Leeds United future as talk rages on about his potential departure this summer. Barcelona looked set to prise the 25-year-old away from the Whites but there are increasing doubts over whether they have the available finances to complete such a deal.
That may put other interesting parties on alert as certain Premier League clubs have been linked previously but it strengthens the Whites’ hopes of holding onto their star man. Reports had stated that the Brazil international had handed in a transfer request to outline a potential desire to leave but his respect to the club seems far greater than to carve out an ugly transfer saga.
The calmness of his father over the situation possibly highlights the lack of a burning passion to pursue a move elsewhere. He was interviewed about his son by Record in Portugal.
Read more: Raphinha to Barcelona transfer latest: Leeds United 'stand firm' amid low Barca valuation
“Possibilities exist, but these possibilities involve three parties: the interested club, the current one and the player,” said Raphinha’s father, Raphael. “He is calm about having a contract, and, as everyone knows, the possibilities depend only on him. What is already known is what is in the news, nothing different from that.”
He was also asked about his son’s involvement in the survival-confirming final-day victory at Brentford, to which he replied: “It was a celebration of great relief. It was a promise with regards to his goals which, unfortunately, were not to go down.
“This was achieved with the effort of the entire group. He is a very dedicated player with a lot of faith.”
That dedication certainly shone through at the Brentford Community Stadium as his passionate goal celebration and raucous post-match reaction in the away end showed that keeping Leeds in the Premier League meant everything to him. It certainly wasn’t the sign of a player hoping to leave in the summer transfer window and Whites fans will be hoping that he stays put as they hope to move back up the table next season.
