Raphinha will kick off about Leeds United ‘scare tactics’ after £60m+ update – expert
Alex McLeish has suggested Raphinha will feel “priced out” of a move away from Leeds United this summer.
The former Scotland international, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Whites may have set a big-money price tag on the 25-year-old as a tactic to ward off suitors.
As reported by the Athletic (3 June), Leeds are demanding between £60-70million for the Brazilian this summer.
He has two years remaining on his contract, meaning the Whites are in a strong position in terms of possibly cashing in.
McLeish suggested the price tag seems “there or thereabouts” in the modern day.
However, he suggested Raphinha may still kick off about the club’s valuation.
Asked if he thought the £60million fee is a fair price or a number to ward suitors off, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “It can be a little bit of both.
“They could be basing it on his potential to go to a higher level club and produce. They would feel higher level clubs would be able to afford that kind of money. “The other thing is it could be a scare-off tactic.
“Players are no different in thinking from my day to this day. We would have said: ‘Oh, no, you’re pricing me too high,’ and now they’ll say the same thing if they’re not getting the move they crave.
“If Raphinha is keen to go, he’s been linked with top teams. He’s playing and stars for his country. It does seem, in this modern-day, there or thereabouts in terms of price. It’s some money to ask for.
“Mentalities are the same. He will think Leeds are pricing him out. I’m sure he’ll be having some little arguments with his club.”
In other news, expert claims Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch will be “livid” after Kalvin Phillips update.