Raphinha is yet another player that Tottenham have been linked with this summer, despite heavy competition. The Brazilian scored 11 goals in his 35 Premier League appearances last season, playing mostly as a right-winger.
However, his time at Leeds looks to be coming to an end, with a number of clubs interested in the 25-year-old. Barcelona seems to be Raphinha's preferred destination, with Chelsea and Arsenal also in the running.
Although Tottenham don't seem to be one of the current front-runners, this hasn't stopped their interest in the current Leeds man. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Spurs have told Leeds they want to make a bid for Raphinha.
READ MORE: Christian Eriksen decision, Djed Spence delay and Fabio Paratici's next steps for Tottenham
Reports have now also come out that Arsenal's initial bid for the Brazilian has been rejected. According to CIES, the 25-year-old is valued up to £34million but Leeds reportedly want up to £65million for the winger and Arsenal's bid was only expected to be around the £50million mark.
The fact Raphinha is so in demand, highlights the quality he has and this is something that was outlined last season by Michael Owen: "He has got that skill. He has got that vision. The technique is perfect. He is a player that can play in any team, for me."
Just a couple of months later and Leeds boss Jesse Marsch was also full of praise for his player and what he hopes the future holds for the 25-year-old. "I want him to become the player that I know that he can," Marsch explained.
"I think everyone sees here, how talented he is, how committed he is, how hard he can run, how confident of a young man he is.
"You know everyone here wants to enjoy the football that we can play with him and of course we want to convince him to stay as long as we can, because he’s so good. He’s a fantastic player and a really good person," the 48-year-old added.
The praise doesn't stop there as his teammate Daniel James also waxed lyrical about the Brazilian at the end of last year: "He's a magician. He's always been a great player – I played against him at [Man] United and he was always great – but he’s improved so much," James said.
"He fully deserved his Brazilian call-up and I think since he got it, he’s pushed on even more, he’s even more confident. He can do absolutely anything on the pitch. It’s great playing with him." This praise does indicate that Raphinha could be a good addition to Conte's squad.
There are decisions to make for the player, in terms of where he wants to be playing next season and also for Leeds to decide how much they will accept for the 25-year-old. Even if Spurs don't get Raphinha or he isn't their first choice - and vice versa - they could still keep themselves as one of the clubs in the mix.
If Tottenham do want the Brazilian in N17, they have a lot to offer with a world-class manager, top facilities, a good location and Champions League football. But even if they decide against trying to pursue a move for the winger, they can keep the battle going.
The Lilywhites' interest in Raphinha will only make it harder for Arsenal and Chelsea to secure a deal. It has been almost a decade since the Blues hijacked Tottenham's deal for Willian, when the transfer seemed all but complete. Could this be the Lilywhites' chance to get revenge, or at least make it seem that way?
There will always be competition for players in the transfer market and no one knows every detail of what goes on behind closed doors at clubs. However, Spurs won't want their Premier League rivals strengthening their squad more than they can, so adding some competition in the battle for players will do no harm.
READ NEXT:
Find out what’s going on at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with all the latest news
Fabio Paratici's next Tottenham transfer priority for Antonio Conte has already become clear
Tottenham news and transfers LIVE: All the big Spurs stories and rumours from today
Antonio Conte could make one big change at Tottenham with or without Christian Eriksen transfer
