Report: 25-year-old has now gone and told Leeds staff that he wants to leave Elland Road
Raphinha has told club staff he wants to leave Leeds United to join Barcelona during the summer transfer window.
Rumours over the Brazilian’s future swirled throughout the season but he remained professional and helped them ensure safety.
He scored a crucial penalty against Brentford on Sunday and then went in to celebrate with the Leeds fans after the game once survival was confirmed.
Spanish outlet Sport have now claimed that the 25-year-old has told Leeds he wants to leave because he does not want to pass up the chance to play for Barcelona.
Raphinha wants to leave Leeds
Their report reads: “Raphinha has taken a step forward, which could be definitive, and has informed the Leeds United leaders of his desire to play at the Camp Nou from next season.
“Everyone at Elland Road already knows that his star wants a change of scenery, which is why he has summoned his current club, with whom he has a contract until 2024, to reach an agreement with Barcelona.
“Once survival in the top flight of English football was sealed, in an agonizing last day, and feeling psychologically liberated, Raphinha has decided to make a move to try to speed up his transfer. His professionalism has been left beyond any doubt and this can help when negotiating his departure.
“He considers that his time in the Premier League has ended and he is not willing to pass up the opportunity to wear the famous Barca jersey, knowing that they view him as important in the construction of a new trophy-winning team. The intention of the winger has been to clarify the negotiating scenario in his last days in Leeds.“
Raphinha’s departure would be a blow for Leeds but it would be a lot more devastating if they were in the Championship next season.
That is not least because he had a relegation release clause which will now not be active and Leeds can now hold out for a better fee.
There is plenty of work to be done at Leeds over the summer to ensure that a thin squad is fleshed out and that the squad is shaped to Jesse Marsch’s will.
