Raphinha: ‘Fuming’ Leeds star may have told his agent he wants to ‘leave right now’ – pundit
Raphinha will have told his agent he is desperate to quit Leeds United as soon as possible, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker claimed Raphinha will be “fuming” after being hooked at half-time during Leeds’ 3-0 loss to Everton on Saturday (12 February).
As quoted by Leeds Live after the game, Marcelo Bielsa revealed the decision was purely tactical as his side went into the break 2-0 down.
The Whites boss wanted Dan James to move out to the right-wing with Tyler Roberts coming on to play up front.
Raphinha’s contract at Elland Road is up in the summer of 2024 but Agbonlahor claimed he will now want to “leave right now”.
He told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “Raphinha being brought off at half-time when he’s not injured, he’s not going to take that well.
“I’m sure he wants to leave right now, never mind in the summer.
“Bielsa can sometimes complicate things and upsetting your best player was not the right thing to do, for me.
“You’re going to be fuming, to be honest. You’re going to be thinking ‘Hang on a second, I’m the best player in the team, I’m the one performing in the team and just because the first half hasn’t gone well you’re taking me off?’
“A player of his talent, he’s going to be fuming. I’m sure he’s probably already spoken to his agent and wants to leave already.”
Raphinha has scored eight times and provided two assists in 21 Premier League starts this season.
Saturday’s result leaves Leeds just six points above the relegation zone but they do have a game in hand over 17th-place Norwich City.
In other news, a medical guru fears Stuart Dallas may be out for an extended period after ‘massive’ Leeds United news.