Leeds United winger Raphinha could be on his way out of Elland Road in the January transfer window.
What’s the talk?
In recent comments cited by MOT Leeds News, Darren Bent suggested that, with the 24-year-old being heavily linked with a move away from the club this winter, he does not believe the Brazilian will remain a part of Marcelo Bielsa’s side come February.
In response to Michael Dawson’s claim that Raphinha is so good that he could well keep Leeds in the Premier League single-handedly this term, the Sky Sports pundit replied: “He might not be there in January, though.”
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Fans will be fuming
Considering just how important a part of the Leeds United side Raphinha has become since his £17m move to the club last summer, Bent’s suggestion that the forward could be on his way out of Elland Road in the coming weeks is sure to have left the Whites fanbase fuming.
Indeed, over his 11 Premier League appearances this season, the £34m-rated man has already scored five goals and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 3.3 shots – the second-most in the league – and making two key passes – the joint 12th-most in the top flight – per game.
These returns have seen the player who Alan Hutton dubbed a “nightmare” average a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.17, by far and away ranking him as Bielsa’s best performer in the division.
And, with Leeds currently languishing down in 17th place in the league standings, should Raphinha indeed go on to secure a move away from the club in January, it would undoubtedly come as a huge blow to the Whites’ hopes of survival this season – with relegation being something that would devastate everyone involved with the club.
In other news: Time to go: Orta must finally axe “frustrating” LUFC dud as Bielsa drops transfer hint