'For the summer...' - Journalist makes worrying Leeds claim on 'wonderful' attacker

Chelsea are keen on making a move for Leeds United winger Raphinha at the end of the season, according to an update from journalist Gianluigi Longari.

The Brazilian has continued to be a star player for Marcelo Bielsa’s side this season, providing consistent quality while other key men have either struggled or been injured.

He has scored eight times in the league and averages by far the highest match rating of any player in the squad (Whoscored).

Raphinha should hopefully stay put in the January transfer window but a summer exit feels possible, especially if worst comes to worst and Bielsa cannot save his injury-stricken squad from the drop.

The 25-year-old has already been linked with a move away and now a fresh update has emerged.

Taking to Twitter on Friday, Longari confirmed Chelsea’s interest in the former Rennes starlet:

“For the summer so many clubs are interested in him, and Chelsea appreciate him so much.”

In truth, it is easy to envisage Raphinha enjoying a fresh challenge this summer, as he comes into the peak years of his career at 25 years of age.

In an ideal world, he would stay at Leeds for several more seasons but he may feel he belongs at a Champions League-playing club, having been hailed as ‘wonderful’ by BBC pundit Danny Murphy for his incredible play in Yorkshire.

It would be hard to begrudge Raphinha a big-money switch but Leeds must only sell him if they receive a monstrous bid and then must use the money to bring in top-class additions of their own.

In other news, Victor Orta looks set to miss out on one Leeds target. Find out who it is here.

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