Raphinha’s recent comments highlight Leeds’ summer masterstroke

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Leeds United’s pursuit of Raphinha seemed to come out of nowhere during the final days of the summer transfer window.

The Whites had been linked with a host of names ahead of their Premier League return. But the Brazilian appeared to be a player few were speaking of before the deadline emerged on the horizon.

The 23-year-old has since gone on to make an outstanding start to life at Elland Road. He took little time to win a place in the starting lineup with flashes of brilliance.

There was an outrageous pass during his cameo at Aston Villa. And he was a shining light on a disappointing day at Crystal Palace.

He vindicated Marcelo Bielsa’s decision to use him in the starting lineup at Everton last month. Raphinha was a threat all game. And it was his long-range strike that settled the game at Goodison Park.

According to BBC Sport, the winger costs the Whites an initial £17 million. And the early signs suggest that that fee is going to prove a bargain.

But judging by recent comments made by Raphinha himself, it would appear that Leeds may have produced a much bigger masterstroke than many could have imagined.

The youngster recently told ESPN that he was upset after Rennes’s decision to accept Leeds’s bid. And the reason, according to Raphinha, is that the Ligue 1 side had told him earlier in the summer that they would not accept anything less than £54.7 million (€60 million) for him.

That means that Leeds initially paid almost £38 million less than what Raphinha’s asking price had apparently been at one stage.

Of course, that may leave some feeling slightly concerned. It is difficult to understand why Rennes’s asking price could drop so significantly in such a short period.

However, having now seen Raphinha in action on a number of occasions, Leeds fans have every reason to believe that they are the ones who have got the much better end of the deal.