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0 goals, 0 assists, Leeds smart to avoid Raphael Martinho

Revie Stand, Elland Road. Leeds United v Accrington Stanley, League Cup 2014 (Reuters)
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Leeds transfer record has been hit and miss this season. Here’s one dud they avoided.

Leeds United have had a patchy transfer record over the past year.

The highs have been top drawer – Pontus Jansson, Luke Ayling, and Kyle Bartley.

There have been lows too, Matt Grimes, Modou Barrow, and Marcus Antonsson.

One player they did well to avoid was Brazilian winger Raphael Martino, who has been linked to the club in successive summers since Massimo Cellino took over.

Leeds have needed wingers, signing Barrow on loan along with Alfonso Pedraza and Hadi Sacko, but none of them have really worked out.

Leeds' Mo Barrow in action with Ipswich's Jonas KnudsenLeeds’ Mo Barrow in action with Ipswich’s Jonas Knudsen

Last June it was claimed by Tuttomercatoweb that Leeds were in pole position to sign Martino from Carpi, who had just been relegated from Serie A.

Martinho had played before that alongside Leeds loanee Giuseppe Bellusci at Catania, and eventually clinched a move to Serie B side Bari.

Leeds' Giuseppe BellusciLeeds’ Giuseppe Bellusci

His spell at Bari has not been a success. In 14 games this season in all competitions the 29-year-old has not scored a single goal or registered an assist.

This followed a similarly barren spell at Carpi. With no goals and no assists in his last two seasons, Martinho is unlikely to be attracting Leeds’ interest this summer.

Leeds United's manager Garry MonkLeeds United’s manager Garry Monk