Spurs told to target "match winner" Raphinha amid Luis Diaz blow

Tottenham Hotspur should bounce back from the blow of missing out on Luis Diaz by targeting Leeds United winger Raphinha when the transfer window reopens in the summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Spurs set their sights on welcoming Diaz to north London last month, but a £37.6million bid was rejected by Porto and the Colombian ended up joining Premier League rivals Liverpool for a fee which could rise to £49million.

Leeds are desperate to tie Raphinha down to a new contract, but Goal have revealed there are serious doubts over whether he wants to extend his stay at Elland Road.

The report suggests the Whites approached the Brazilian over negotiating fresh terms twice last month, but Raphinha is holding off talks because he is waiting to discover whether bids will come in from some of football’s biggest clubs.

It is understood that, should he leave, Raphinha would prefer to remain in the Premier League but move onto a club challenging for silverware.

However, the Yorkshire Evening Post have claimed Leeds’ hopes of coming to an agreement with the 25-year-old are not in jeopardy and sporting director Victor Orta remains in discussions with Raphinha’s agent Deco.

Raphinha’s current deal at Elland Road, worth £63,000-per-week, still has just shy of two-and-a-half years remaining.

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O’Rourke believes Spurs head coach Antonio Conte should target Raphinha after being frustrated in his efforts to welcome Diaz to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The journalist feels Raphinha boasts similar qualities to the Liverpool man and the north Londoners ought to pounce if Leeds fail to agree fresh terms with their winger.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “Raphinha is