Noel Whelan has said on BBC Radio Leeds that he does not think that Leeds United will sell Raphinha, amid reported interest from Liverpool.
There has been recent speculation that defending Premier League champions Liverpool are interested in signing Raphinha from Leeds in the summer of 2021.
According to JuveLive, as covered by HITC Sport, the Reds are interested in securing the services of the Brazilian winger.
The report in the Italian news outlet has claimed that Leeds have already identified Douglas Costa as a potential replacement for Raphinha.
Former Leeds striker Whelan, who now works as a pundit for BBC Radio Leeds, does not think that the West Yorkshire club will sell the 24-year-old.
Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds when asked about other clubs potentially coming for Raphinha: “They can knock on the door, but we are not a selling club. We are not a club in financial difficulties.
“We are building a team, and he is part of this rebuilding process, and we are going to add other players in the summer as well that’s going to complement him and the rest of the players that we have got at this football club. That’s all it is.
“If we sell him, that’s a travesty, and that goes against what we are trying to do. I do not think that the regime here, that is what they want to do. They are building, they are happy.”
Unlikely Raphinha exit
Raphinha joined Leeds in the summer of 2020, and it is hard to see the Whites sell him after just one season, especially as he is playing so well – he has four goals and four assists to his name in the league this campaign, according to WhoScored.
The Brazilian’s performances this season have impressed pundits and even some rival fans, and the Leeds hierarchy will know how much popular he is among the club’s own supporters.
True, money talks and Liverpool could make a huge offer, but Leeds are a big club, and now that they are back in the Premier League, they are financially strong as well.
Joe Gelhardt decision
Meanwhile, Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa has explained the decision to include 18-year-old forward Joe Gelhardt in the matchday squad against Crystal Palace on Monday.
Bielsa told Leeds Live: “Prior to the game yesterday, Gelhardt had been one of the better players in the under-23s.
“And given the absence of Pablo, we thought that Tyler Roberts could play as a number ten or as a striker and the same for Gelhardt.
“We follow every under-23s game closely, we constantly ask for advice from their manager and he suggested that we bring in Gelhardt. We thought that it was a correct recommendation.”
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