Whelan claims Leeds ‘are not Brentford’ and there is no chance of Liverpool target Raphinha being sold
Raphinha is “not for sale” and will not be leaving Leeds United this summer, according to Noel Whelan.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, the former Elland Road striker insisted the Whites would “stay strong” amid interest in the winger.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Orta claimed there had been no approaches for the 24-year-old and issued a hands-off warning to suitors.
Raphinha has scored five goals and contributed five assists in 23 top-flight appearances so far.
As revealed by Football Insider last month, Liverpool are among the clubs tracking the Brazilian after his impressive first season in the Premier League.
However, Whelan has claimed the winger will not be going anywhere ahead of next season.
Whelan told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge: “They don’t need to do anything. He’s under contract for four years.
“All he needs to do is just keep playing his game. What Leeds United need to do is stay strong. It’s what they will do because they’re building their team around these sort of players.
“They’re not for sale, that’s just the way it is. We’re not a Brentford, we don’t need to sell. The club’s in a really healthy state. We own the football club again, we own the stadium. There’s nothing there to suggest we’re desperate for money.
“It says to me we’re desperate to progress as a club and as a team. To hit the heights of the eighth to sixth mark and each season progress, progress, progress. These players know what’s in front of them at Leeds United.
“He couldn’t really be at a better club, quite frankly, the way the state and the health of the club is.”
In other news, Whelan has ripped into the cowardly Mateusz Klich after draw v Chelsea.