Leon Osman has predicted that Raphinha will be leaving Leeds United this summer.
All of the speculation right now is centering on Kalvin Phillips’s future at Elland Road.
But Raphinha has been heavily linked with a transfer to Barcelona in recent weeks – and after his latest performance, that’ll only intensify going forward.
The 25-year-old scored a left-footed pearler to open the scoring in Leeds’ 3-0 victory away to Watford on Saturday afternoon.
And Osman, speaking to Premier League Productions, believes that he’s in the final furlong of his career in West Yorkshire.
He said: “I’d be surprised if he’s still at Leeds next season, such is his performances. There’ll be suitors.”
Unfortunately, he might be right.
As big as Leeds are, there are bigger clubs out there and Raphinha’s two years in the Premier League underline what a brilliant footballer he really is.
The good news is that the Elland Road outfit can stand to make a fortune on the player.
Marcelo Bielsa spent around £17 million on Raphinha – who has since become a Brazil international – during the summer of 2020.
But whoever Leeds sell to [providing they sell, that is] we’re talking about at least receiving 2.5 times your original investment.
It won’t soften the blow of losing Raphinha, but if Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta use those funds to find another star then, well, it’ll help United fans get over it.
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