Imagine him and Bowen: West Ham eye £36m-rated "matchwinner" who's like "star dust" - opinion

West Ham United remain interested in signing Leeds United star Raphinha amid their failed attempted to land him in the January transfer window.

Reports suggested that David Moyes’ side had tabled an offer for the Brazilian but that the Whites refused to do business.

Football Insider have now revealed that a source has confirmed the Hammers’ interest in the winger, and that the Irons have asked about his availability.

However, the report added that Leeds are now looking to tie down Raphinha to a new contract, and are confident of doing so in the next few weeks.

The Brazilian has been an absolute revelation for Marcelo Bielsa’s side since joining in a £17m deal from French outfit Stade Rennes back in the summer of 2020, enjoying a superb debut campaign in English football which saw him net six goals and provide another nine assists in the Premier League alone.

Dubbed as “star dust” and a “matchwinner” by The Athletic’s Phil Hay, his start to the current campaign has been equally impressive, notching eight goals and setting up another two in just 19 games in the top-flight – including having two goal contributions in both games against West Ham themselves.

Raphinha’s displays had Leeds team-mate Patrick Bamford hailing him after the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last February, with the Englishman telling Sky Sports: “I think, to be honest, he has been a steal for Leeds. I am surprised. As soon as he came in, you saw him in training, you know sometimes with players whether they are good or they are top class, and he really was. He stood out straightaway.

“I am surprised that bigger teams, more established Premier League teams I should say, haven’t taken a punt on him because he really is someone special, and he is young.”

Havi