Journalist drops 'major' behind-the-scenes Raphinha claim after Bielsa subs Leeds star v Everton

Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes that Leeds United will have a ‘major fight’ on their hands to keep hold of Raphinha in the summer, as per GiveMeSport.

The Brazilian has been the club’s highest-rated performer this season and has netted eight Premier League goals, twice as many as the Whites’ second-highest scorer, as per WhoScored.

However, Marcelo Bielsa decided to take off the 25-year-old at half-time against Everton on Saturday afternoon. It was purely a tactical substitution, the manager confirmed, with Tyler Roberts – who has scored just nine times in 106 appearances for the Whites – brought on as his replacement.

The Whites ended up losing 3-0 at Goodison Park, and O’Rourke feels that the Brazilian could be on his way out of the club at the end of the campaign.

Recent reports have suggested that Leeds are confident of finalising a bumper new contract for the winger.

However, talking to GiveMeSport in a story shared on Sunday morning, O’Rourke thinks that Leeds officials could have an arduous task on their hands to try and keep the 24-year-old at the club this summer.

The journalist claimed: “In the summer, they are going to have a major fight to keep hold of him.”

Should the Whites suffer relegation back to the Championship, then you’d expect that Raphinha would be one of the first players to leave the club when the summer market opens.

Even if Bielsa keeps Leeds in the top flight, the winger may still depart Elland Road, with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham all showing an interest in the Brazil winger in recent months.

In an ideal world, Raphinha will get back to his best between now and the end of the season to keep Leeds in the Premier League and sign a fresh contract, resulting in the best