£40.5m Leeds star 'not ruling out' Elland Road stay

Raphinha‘s people are refusing to rule out the possibility of the Brazilian remaining at Leeds United this summer, claims transfer insider Dean Jones.

In recent days, he has been heavily linked with a move away from Elland Road, with Barcelona reportedly hot in pursuit.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are in advanced talks with Deco, Raphinha’s agent, over personal terms ahead of a potential move to the Camp Nou.

Romano has also stated that the Spanish giants could sign the winger for just €25m (£21m) should Leeds get relegated.

The Yorkshire club are not too far away from the drop zone, so it is certainly a possibility, but Jesse Marsch will have confidence in his side after watching them pick up wins against Wolves and Norwich City just before the international break.

As well as Barcelona, Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in Raphinha, but their plans to sign him have been put on hold following the sanctioning of their owner Roman Abramovich.

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Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that those close to Raphinha are refusing to rule out a Leeds stay this summer despite all of the interest the 25-year-old is currently attracting.

Speaking to GMS, the football journalist said: “The people around him say, ‘We’re not ruling that [Elland Road stay] out at all.’ But obviously he has some big clubs looking at him.”

It would be massive. The £40.5m-rated Brazil international has become a big player for Leeds since joining from Rennes back in 2020.

In fact, former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa, who brought Raphinha to Elland Road, went as far as to say that he is the best player in the Whites’ squad.

“Raphinha is the