According to Football Transfers, Leeds have rejected a €55m (£47m) bid from Barcelona for Raphinha, with Liverpool and Newcastle also interested.
What’s the story?
Well, Jesse Marsch only secured Premier League survival on Sunday, and the American is already having to fend off interest in the Brazilian, who is arguably his best player.
Football Transfers believe Barcelona waited to see if Leeds had suffered relegation or not before submitting the offer, as Raphinha had two different release clauses.
It is said that the 25-year-old had a release clause worth €25m (£21m) if Leeds ended up back in the Championship.
However, after survival was secured, the South American is now tied to a €75m (£64m) release clause at Elland Road.
Football Transfers add that Leeds are expecting Barcelona to submit another offer for Raphinha, who is represented by Deco – an old hero at the Camp Nou.
If that second offer does arrive, it will be interesting to see how Liverpool and Newcastle react – as aforesaid, both sides are believed to be interested.
Leeds surely can’t fend off Barcelona, Liverpool & Newcastle
After the dismal season they’ve just had, Leeds will surely struggle to fend off some of Europe’s biggest – and wealthiest – clubs this summer.
Barcelona are seen as the pinnacle of football by many South American players in particular, a place where the likes of Ronaldinho and Ronaldo shone.
Elsewhere, Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp are arguably the best side in Europe at the moment, and any attacker who arrives at Anfield seems to become noticeably better under the German.
Then, there is Newcastle. While the Magpies cannot offer Raphinha Champions League football, they can certainly offer him and Leeds a lot of money.
If Leeds somehow start the 2022/23 campaign with him in the side, we’ll be very, very surprised.
Nevertheless, be sure to keep an eye on the Brazil international’s situation this summer, as anything could happen.
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