Transfer expert Dean Jones has told Give Me Sport that the signings of Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen are not convincing enough to tempt Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips into committing their futures to Leeds.
Leeds announced the addition of Kristensen earlier this week – the Dane signing a five-year deal at Elland Road. The right-back is believed to have cost £10million, taking this summer’s spent to £35million already.
That is, after Leeds struck a £25million deal for USA international Aaronson. Meanwhile, Raphinha remains a target for Liverpool and Barcelona – while Phillips is seen as Manchester City’s main replacement for Fernandinho.
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Reports say that Leeds are ‘fighting’ to tie down Phillips to a new, £100,000-a-week deal. But nothing has come out as of yet. Jones says the signings of Aaronson and Kristensen are not convincing enough to keep the duo.
“I’m told Leeds they need to show ambition in the transfer market if they are to hold on to Kalvin Phillips or Raphinha – and at the moment the level of signings aren’t quite at the level where those two are convinced to stay.”
Journalist: Leeds signings not convincing Phillips and Raphinha
Ultimately, Leeds are going to keep one of either Phillips or Raphinha. Whichever one goes, the other will remain. Andrea Radrizzani wants to mirror the Leicester model of selling one big player, to bring in three.
He is not going to sell two of his biggest stars, arguably the two only players who can command a fee north of £50million, in the same window. Both are contracted to Elland Road until the summer of 2024.
While Aaronson and Kristensen are unproven in the Premier League, they are Champions League players. They will need time to adapt but there is enormous potential there. They could prove to bargains in a season or two.
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