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Raphinha: Arsenal make bid for Leeds playmaker but offer expected to be rejected

By Simon StoneBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Leeds Unitedcomments586

Raphinha scores from the penalty spot against Brentford
Raphinha joined Leeds from Rennes in 2020 for £17m plus add-ons

Arsenal have made a bid for Leeds United playmaker Raphinha.

It is understood to be the first formal offer Leeds have received for the Brazil forward, who scored 11 Premier League goals last season.

However, sources say the offer falls far below their valuation and is certain to be rejected.

The 25-year-old, who joined Leeds from Rennes in 2020, has attracted interest from a number of clubs in the Premier League and abroad.

It is felt he would prefer to join Barcelona if the prospect materialised, but it is not known whether the Spanish giants will have the finances to do a deal.

He has scored 17 goals in 60 Premier League appearances for the West Yorkshire club - who would like to keep the player - including the crucial opener from the penalty spot in their final game of last season when they won at Brentford to preserve their top-flight status.

Meanwhile, it is understood Leeds are still to receive an official approach from Manchester City for England midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

Phillips' Elland Road future has been the subject of intense debate since the end of the season.

And while Leeds would like Phillips to sign a new contract to remain with his boyhood club, they are prepared for City to declare their interest and understand it would be tough for the 26-year-old to turn the offer down when it eventually comes.

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586 comments

  • Comment posted by Cliche121, at 12:26 22 Jun

    Side before self — every time,” Billy Bremner's legendary words. As a fan since 67, the sale of Philips and Raphinha presents the Club with an opportunity to become a "side". £110M ensures we don't have to rely on two gifted players, but a gifted side, a strong squad capable of missing injuries. As for KP and Raph, this about "self". There is life beyond their sale. Their "self" becomes our "side"

    • Reply posted by Toby B, at 12:31 22 Jun

      Toby B replied:
      A good point. But on the basis of recent Leeds recruitment flops, do you trust the management to deliver the "side" you" want? Raphina is the glittering exception among some very poor transfer decisions. As one Leeds fan recently said: "We should have signed Senior Firpo!"

  • Comment posted by Andrew, at 12:36 22 Jun

    what we playin next season, 6 wingers?

    • Reply posted by Gunnerstorm, at 15:00 22 Jun

      Gunnerstorm replied:
      think our Brazilian contingent probably have RW, LW, AM, CAM, CF in their armours 😏

  • Comment posted by TomTom, at 11:58 22 Jun

    £70+ million and he is Arsenals, after all they did pay 72 million for Pepe and Raphinha is a much better player.

    • Reply posted by JuliusCaesarWasASocialist, at 12:05 22 Jun

      JuliusCaesarWasASocialist replied:
      You'll take what you're offered and like it.

  • Comment posted by Listener, at 12:25 22 Jun

    Phillips and Raphinha have 2 years left on their contracts. Keeping them could be the difference between being in the Premier League or not being in the Premier League.

    Premier League is worth £120m a year to Leeds United.

    Better for Leeds to keep these players even if it means they go for a free in two years time. The £240m earned by then is more than worth it.

    £50-60m nowhere near enough.

    • Reply posted by Cliche121, at 12:31 22 Jun

      Cliche121 replied:
      Probably one of the best comments every to grace the BBC. Congratulations, great words, inspired wisdom.

  • Comment posted by markyp1965, at 12:36 22 Jun

    A couple of points…
    We don’t know how much the bid was from Arsenal, and how many clubs actually stump up the asking price straight away?
    Raphina is a talented player, but I’d prefer to see Arsenal focus on a goalscorer as that is the biggest need.

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 15:05 22 Jun

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      Arsenal in play to signing Raphina?
      Not a chance!

  • Comment posted by campbelljaa, at 12:15 22 Jun

    These clubs really don't get it... For £40 million, we might as well keep hm at Leeds and let him play for the last two years of his contract and let him go at the end of it... It's absolutely not worth is for us to let him go for that little!

    • Reply posted by mac, at 12:20 22 Jun

      mac replied:
      Got to be min 60m deal

  • Comment posted by silver333, at 11:59 22 Jun

    I just hope he stays in the EPL, some of his play last season was a joy to watch.

    • Reply posted by Shearminator , at 07:49 23 Jun

      Shearminator replied:
      if looks could kill he has one serious attitude

  • Comment posted by Mick, at 12:39 22 Jun

    Arsenal always make low bids - and always miss out. Why bother?

    • Reply posted by Nercei, at 13:42 22 Jun

      Nercei replied:
      The £72million paid for Pepe will always be a painful reminder of paying too much I think - we'll never recoup that money back for him (either via sale or competition winnings). Looking for the cheapest deal we can get makes sense to me. However, on this occasion it sounds like the offer is insultingly low...

  • Comment posted by I_Fear_4_England, at 13:03 22 Jun

    What are Arsenal doing? They need a left back and a midfielder that can cover for the consistently injured Tierney and Partey, but instead targeting yet another attacking player. A striker wouldn’t go amiss either as Nketia is a back up at best. Or Arteta is trying to copy Pep “no need for a striker” Guardiola” until he realises in 2 years time he actually does.

  • Comment posted by ABU Hamster, at 12:09 22 Jun

    He would only leave Leeds for a bigger club.

    • Reply posted by JimmyTheBrain, at 12:12 22 Jun

      JimmyTheBrain replied:
      That only rules out Man Utd.

  • Comment posted by Pen Factory, at 12:21 22 Jun

    Arsenal look like they’re doing some serious business this summer definitely strengthening their squad, I like what Arteta is doing

    • Reply posted by Alex, at 12:49 22 Jun

      Alex replied:
      Raphina potentially and Viera on top of Martinelli, Smith Rowe, Odegaard and Saka not to mention Pepe who I assume is leaving

      Isn't that area of the squad less in need of improving than others?

  • Comment posted by Andrew, at 12:41 22 Jun

    4-6-0 formation incoming

    • Reply posted by LupusDrauwulf, at 13:46 22 Jun

      LupusDrauwulf replied:
      So little change there then.

  • Comment posted by Rich-D, at 11:57 22 Jun

    Good player who put up more than respectable numbers in a struggling team. He's a double figures goals/assists kind of guy in a better team. £40-£50m is reasonable......but you can guarantee Arsenal went in at £25 or something stupid!

    • Reply posted by MADMAXCRASHSTAPPEN, at 13:19 22 Jun

      MADMAXCRASHSTAPPEN replied:
      25M and 1 pound

  • Comment posted by Christian Uzor, at 12:12 22 Jun

    I may be proved wrong, I doubt if Arsenal will bid for him when the club is yet to sell off Pepe.
    Odegaard is left footed, likewise Viera who can all deputize for Saka at right flank, also Arsenal recently added Marquinhos another left footed right winger.

    I hope am wrong but logically the rumor makes no sense.

    • Reply posted by TheBigPL, at 12:25 22 Jun

      TheBigPL replied:
      This article is entirely about Arsenal having made a bid. Consider yourself proved wrong!

  • Comment posted by Tranquilo, at 11:55 22 Jun

    Cant believe there's not more interest in him

    • Reply posted by sunningdale5, at 12:04 22 Jun

      sunningdale5 replied:
      I agree - he is pure quality and super cool from the penalty spot.

  • Comment posted by BobP, at 14:50 22 Jun

    Leeds need players who take their chances to score.
    Last season only Harrison and Llorente had 20+% goal conversion. Compare that to Leicester with 10 such players, Newcastle 6, Brighton 7, Palace 8.
    Leeds created plenty of chances but had no one to put the ball in the net.
    Raphinha was good and saved the club, but Leeds needs more cool heads in the box, while retaining their work ethic.

    • Reply posted by Tebby, at 17:21 22 Jun

      Tebby replied:
      Also because Bamford was crocked all season.

  • Comment posted by sunningdale5, at 11:59 22 Jun

    This would be a fantastic signing. There will be a lot of rotation in the young team this year and Rafinha certainly brings that bit of grit to the team. Sometimes his temper spills over but certainly shows his will to win. Hopefully they will find a taker for Pepe now. COYG

    • Reply posted by sunningdale5, at 12:02 22 Jun

      sunningdale5 replied:
      Raphinha I show say.

  • Comment posted by Lone voice , at 13:40 22 Jun

    Don't you mean "Arsenal make 'derisory' bid for Raphina"?

    • Reply posted by exodus77, at 13:47 22 Jun

      exodus77 replied:
      Yes, well under the radar.

  • Comment posted by DJ25, at 11:57 22 Jun

    Would be another great bit of business if we land him...just need to get rid of Pepe.

    • Reply posted by Devils Advocate, at 16:45 22 Jun

      Devils Advocate replied:
      Only if he comes in under the asking price. Our money is better invested in other areas, save the big bucks for a decent striker.

  • Comment posted by JonLawrance, at 16:35 22 Jun

    I think it's been mentioned before in other places but I can see Saka being the one to convert from winger to striker, possibly Martinelli too so maybe a few new wingers isn't such a bad idea after all

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