Leeds United news: Raphinha ‘distracted’ by possible exit amid ‘brilliant’ Liverpool claim – pundit
Alex McLeish has suggested Raphinha could become “distracted” as speculation swirls about a potential Leeds United exit.
The former Scotland boss, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 25-year-old is up for grabs this summer.
Speaking on his Here We Go podcast (15 March), Fabrizio Romano revealed Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona are interested in signing Raphinha ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Brazil international, who missed Leeds United’s dramatic 3-2 win over Wolves last night (18 March) with Covid-19, is contracted until 2024.
Raphinha has notched nine goals and three assists in 27 Premier League games this term.
McLeish claimed the likes of Liverpool will have done their research on the winger.
“Some of these guys, when they come from abroad and they’re getting these headlines – they can get a wee bit distracted,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“The speculation can mean that they don’t want to stay and fight in the bottom half of the table.
“Listen, at the end of the day, the top teams do their homework and do it well. The Liverpool system is brilliant, for example.
“If they want Raphinha, they can come and get him – and he’ll most likely go.
“Hopefully Leeds can use that money and be shrewd in that recruitment when they go out and find his replacement.”
As quoted by Leeds Live (17 March), Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch insisted he would “love to keep” Raphinha for “as long as possible”.
The 25-year-old joined the Whites for a reported £17million in 2020.
In other news, source reveals Leeds United “confident” of new contract for 30-year-old ace.