"Major fight" - Journalist drops concerning claim over Leeds star's Elland Road future

Leeds United will have to fight to keep Raphinha at Elland Road as he is certain to attract interest in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Whites forked out £17million to acquire the Brazilian from Rennes less than 18 months ago and they turned down the chance to recoup close to three times that amount last week.

90min have revealed Leeds rejected a £50million offer from Premier League rivals West Ham United in the final days of the January transfer window.

The report suggests the deal would have involved an initial fee of £40million, along with a further £10million in potential add-ons, and Raphinha would have been interested in a move to the London Stadium had his current employers agreed to the proposal.

West Ham are not the only club to have taken an interest in the 25-year-old, who has scored 53 goals over the course of his senior club career.

It is understood that Liverpool have been assessing Raphinha and were tempted to make a move last month, while German giants Bayern Munich were also thought to be mulling over lodging a big-money bid.

Raphinha still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his £63,000-per-week deal, but head coach Marcelo Bielsa has admitted Leeds have made a ‘great decision’ in attempting to tie him down to an even longer contract.

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O’Rourke has doubts over Raphinha’s long-term future at Leeds, regardless of the fact they are attempting to negotiate an extended agreement.

The journalist feels a number of clubs will be keen to add the winger to their ranks after he attracted interest during the January window.

O’Rourke reckons Leeds have a battle on their hands as they look to