Leeds United are expected to field offers for Brazilian international Raphinha when the transfer window opens this summer. With 15 goals, 12 assists and several influential performances for the Whites since signing in October 2020, Raphinha has impressed throughout his spell in England. Given Leeds are likely to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League table, holding onto the 25-year-old beyond this summer would be somewhat surprising, despite his contracted status.
Reported interest from the likes of Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Chelsea and most recently Barcelona indicates the calibre of club Raphinha will likely feature for next. Having made his debut for the Brazilian national side earlier this season, the winger's chances of securing a place in head coach Tite's World Cup Finals squad later this year look promising.
LaLiga giants Barcelona are alleged to be in contact with Raphinha's agent - former Chelsea and Portugal midfielder Deco - as reports emerged suggesting talks between the player's representatives and the Catalan club are underway. There is no release clause in Raphinha's Leeds contract, which runs until June 2024, despite reports to the contrary, meaning the Whites' negotiating power is somewhat strengthened, providing they retain their place in the top flight.
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Should Raphinha seal a move to one of European football's elite clubs, it would be the first real opportunity for Chairman Andrea Radrizzani to demonstrate his resolve in high-level transfer negotiations. Upon promotion to the Premier League, the Italian told the Associated Press: "There are teams that have done an unbelievable story like Leicester, but Leicester is an example also of stability and sustainability over time. We need to keep that objective and motivation in our mind, to work hard to be where we were 20 years ago."
Following a tranche of investment from minority shareholders 49ers Enterprises early last year, the Italian stated further : “If we are able to stay in the Premier League, after two or three years I think this club could step up to be in the group of three or four clubs next to the big ones. Our model, I think, is Leicester City. If there’s a club I admire for what has been done in terms of football management, it’s Leicester," Radrizzani added.
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Leicester's model saw Harry Maguire, Riyad Mahrez, Danny Drinkwater and N'Golo Kante purchased for relatively modest transfer fees, before the club sold each one, plus academy graduate Ben Chilwell, for in excess of £200 million. It allowed the Foxes to break ground on a new state-of-the-art training complex at Seagrave, as well as significant reinvestment in the playing squad, helping the Midlands club establish themselves in the Premier League's top half.
Signed for a reported £17 million and currently being touted for as much as £70 million, Raphinha's potential transfer trajectory bears a close resemblance to the way in which Leicester's model handled the sales of key players. Securing a palatable sum, as well as immediate reinvestment in the transfer market will be the first priorities in the event of a Raphinha exit. Doing so would go some way to mirroring the Leicester approach Radrizzani aspires to.
