Leeds United star Raphinha remains a target for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
The Lowdown: Raphinha linked with Leeds exit
The Brazilian has been one of the best players of the Marcelo Bielsa era at Elland Road, thrilling the supporters with his attacking brilliance on the right wing.
Somewhat inevitably, Raphinha has been linked with a move to an elite club in Bayern this month, as the reigning German champions eye up attacking reinforcements.
While the story has gone a little quiet of late, a fresh update is a worrying one from a Leeds perspective.
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The Latest: Journalist makes new Raphinha claim
Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke claimed that Bayern are still keen on snapping up Raphinha, seeing him as a candidate to replace Kingsley Coman and strengthen their attack. He outlined:
“Bayern Munich, we all know, brilliant club, probably going to be German champions again, always competing for the top honours.
“Big thing for them could be maybe they might need a winger in the summer with doubts surrounding the future of Kingsley Coman, so I’m sure Raphinha does figure on their list.”
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The Verdict: Hard to keep him
Ideally, Raphinha would continue to dazzle at Leeds for many years to come, adding far more than his 14 goals and 10 assists for the club, having been hailed as ‘incredible’ by journalist Phil Hay.
However, the 25-year-old may surely feel that his talent belongs at a club playing in the Champions League, so it could be very hard for the Whites to keep hold of him.
A January exit would be a disaster, and the Brazil international would hopefully not force a move midway through a potential relegation fight, but it would be hard to begrudge him a summer transfer, especially if he continues to help Leeds away from danger in the Premier League in the meantime.
In other news, O’Rourke has backed one player to make a move to Leeds. Find out who it is here.