Leeds won't get 'good ending' regarding £36m Elland Road ace

Leeds are going to have major issues hanging on to winger Raphinha beyond this season, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Raphinha has been one of Leeds’ standout players over the last 18 months, and this could lead to the 25-year-old earning himself a big-money move this summer.

The Brazil international has arguably been his side’s best performer this season as he has scored eight goals in 21 top-flight appearances.

His form has caught the eye of some high-profile clubs, with reports claiming that Liverpool are monitoring the forward.

However, he suffered one of his biggest setbacks of the season on Saturday when he was hauled off at half-time by Bielsa in his team’s 3-0 defeat against Everton. The Argentine coach confirmed after the game that the substitution was a tactical one.

Following that shock call, Jones feels that Raphinha could either respond by hitting top form, or he could struggle to meet Bielsa’s demands, which could mean that he gets left out or taken off early more often.

Either way, Jones expects Raphinha to be heading for the exit door sooner rather than later.

Talking about how he expects the rest of the campaign to pan out for Raphinha, Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I think if he has great run between now and the end of the season, he’ll definitely leave because he’ll join a bigger team.

“And if he’s not fitting in with what Leeds are doing right now and people start making stories about him wanting to leave, then he’ll also leave. So, I don’t see a good ending for Leeds either way in this.”

They could well be.

It has been reported in recent weeks that Raphinha has been in contract negotiations with Leeds over a new deal, and these are believed to be progressing well.

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