A player that left Leeds United during Jesse Marsch’s reign could be about to join Neymar’s Al-Hilal this summer for an eye-watering fee if his current club get their way.
Back in 2022, Leeds made a huge number of signings. All deals that were designed to help Jesse Marsch, reuniting with his old players like Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Rasmus Kristensen and Max Wober.
Leeds had to bring in the funds to stage such a daring splashing of the cash that summer and recent reports suggest that The Whites still owe a lot of money involved in these deals to various different clubs.
But for the initial payment, Leeds sold Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha. It saw The Whites rake in a total of £100m for both players with Raphinha leaving the club for the Nou Camp in a deal worth a huge £55m.
A good deal for Leeds, in that in the space of two years Leeds managed to triple their initial outlay on the Brazil international. Indeed, Raphinha was bought as a relative unknown from Rennes for less than £20m.
- READ MORE: What Micah Richards has said about Raphinha
Raphinha could be about to leave Barcelona for a huge £85m
The Brazil star earned his dream move to Barcelona, and the numbers suggest he has done well in his two seasons with the Spanish side. He’s had a hand in 45 goals in 87 games, a goal or assist every other game.
But there have been critics, some befuddled by his incredible form in training but unable to deliver on the pitch. There is interest, Mundo Deportivo claiming a bid from Saudi Arabia was rejected last summer.
Now, Neymar’s Al-Hilal have opened talks and expressed how much they would like to sign Raphinha in the coming weeks. Barcelona are keen to keep him, but want a fee of £85m if they are to do business.
There is one key reason why Raphinha must ignore Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal won the Saudi Pro League last season, smashing their way to the title past Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. A side that boasts Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Malcom, Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Raphinha would win titles, play under a legendary manager in Jorge Jesus and earn an absolute bucket load. But there is one crucial, and obvious reason why Raphinha must ignore a move to the Champions.
That is, that he’s still only 27. A move to Saudi Arabia is way too early in his career and even if he went with the idea of returning to Europa in two or three years, no-one could afford the wage he would get.