In-demand Leeds United winger Raphinha will not speak to any interested clubs, including Liverpool, until the end of the season.
That’s according to 90min who claim that the Brazilian is ready to ‘shun’ talks with all interested parties in a bid to focus on Leeds’ Premier League survival.
Liverpool are, unsurprisingly, mentioned as one of the clubs keen on signing Raphinha. The report also claims that PSG, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are among the other sides to be courting the 25-year-old.
It’s also claimed that reports that Barcelona already have an agreement in place with the player have been dismissed.
Leeds reportedly still retain hope that the player will sign a new contract. Raphinha’s deal has two years to run, but the Yorkshire club believe that Jesse Marsch’s impressive start at the club will help to convince him to pen a new contract.
Door still open for Raphinha
Last week, it was Sport who made the claims that Raphinha had all-but-signed for Barcelona. They also claimed that the Spanish side had made an opening offer to Leeds.
That could obviously have been detrimental to Liverpool’s hopes of bringing the Brazil international to Anfield.
But these fresh claims suggest that nothing has been agreed and that all interested sides still have a chance to get their man.
It could be seen to be in Raphinha’s interest that Leeds lose their place in the Premier League. Fabrizio Romano has previously claimed that he has a £25m release clause should his club go down.
That could mean he has the chance to earn a better salary with a club saving on the transfer fee. But to Raphinha’s credit, he seems determined to help Leeds stay up, before resolving his future.
He may still stay at Elland Road beyond the summer. But given the calibre of clubs interested in him, including Liverpool, it would seem that a move away is becoming inevitable.
It could be that Liverpool are waiting to see if they can resolve the future of Mohamed Salah before pushing on with plans to bring in Raphinha.
If this report is accurate, Raphinha’s decision to hold on until the end of the season will give them that little bit of extra breathing space that could be crucial.
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