Agbonlahor salutes Leeds United as ‘big’ new Raphinha details emerge
Gabby Agbonlahor has praised Leeds United for securing the majority of the fee for Raphinha from Barcelona up front.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker insisted Barcelona are in “big trouble” and it was vital Leeds got 95 per cent of the transfer fee up front.
Leeds confirmed on Friday (15 July) that the 25-year-old had completed a permanent move to the La Liga giants.
The Athletic reported the same day that the Whites had insisted the money is paid up front and Barca will have to pay an extra £8.5million if they do not meet a specified payment date.
It is also claimed Deco had waived a seven-figure agent fee to help facilitate the deal.
Asked whether the sale of Raphinha was good business for Leeds, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “Yes, I think so.
“When you’ve got such an asset, you have to ask for at least 90 per cent or 95 per cent of the money up front.
“Otherwise, I wouldn’t have sold him to them. Especially when Chelsea have offered it up front.
“Barcelona are in big trouble financially so they have to get that money out of them straight away.
“It will be a good bit of money for Leeds and they have to spend it wisely.
“They’ve brought in a lot of players that people haven’t really heard of. Obviously, the manager’s done his research well and these players can adapt to the Premier League.
“That can be very difficult and last season, Raphinha was there get out. They gave the ball to Raphinha and he made things happen.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed that Leeds United are generating “worldwide attention” as a new deal is agreed.