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Leeds United must wrap up agreement ASAP for sensation out on international duty – Opinion

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Leeds United sensation Raphinha was at it again for Brazil as he helped them cruise to a 4-0 win over Paraguay, further highlighting how tough a job Leeds have of keeping him.

The January transfer window rolled by without much to get the pulse raising at Elland Road, aside from interest in a midfielder and some laughable bids for key players.

One of those key players subject to an offer was Raphinha, with West Ham reportedly tabling a £50million bid to sign him later in January.

The bid was shrugged off in the manner you’d expect, highlighting it was derogatory to even attempt to take him away from Elland Road in January, let alone for that little.

At the first time of asking since the window shut, Raphinha has gone to prove just why he’s worth more than that to Leeds, with his stunning display in Brazil’s 4-0 win against Paraguay:

The winger didn’t manage a full 90 minutes as he was handed his second start in as many games for his country, thanks to a hefty tackle forcing him to limp off late in the second half.

He did make his presence felt though, as he got the hosts off the mark with a stunning touch and finish, latching onto a long ball from PSG’s Marquinhos, taking his touch inside the Paraguay defender and firing a low shot down the near post:

It was one of three shots he had in the game, whilst also having an earlier strike chalked off when VAR deemed him to have controlled the ball with his arm before rolling it into the corner off the post.

Raphinha’s work with the ball in their build-up to attacks was a massive factor in his performance too, with his 91% passing accuracy, completing 42 out of 46 passes and two out of two crosses.

In fact, Raphinha only gave away the ball five times in total from the 48 passes he received in the game, misplacing four passes and losing it just once more on top of that.

Not only was he efficient in moving the ball to teammates, but as ever, he was lethal when travelling too – he clocked up eight progressive runs and completed five dribbles in the game, causing problems every time he was in possession.

It’s not just for show either, with eight touches in the penalty area proof that he’s getting into the right areas, unlucky not to have two goals to his name from the meeting.

Leeds’ mammoth 2022 task

There’s nothing to fear when it came to West Ham’s joke bid, but it’s another team showing their appreciation of the Brazilian’s performances this season.

With the World Cup later this year, Raphinha is a shoo-in for the Seleção squad with the form he’s in, and that only serves as further fuel to boost his profile.

Playing amongst compatriots from PSG, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea will likely have him pondering what life must be like at the top of club-level football, and who could blame him?

Leeds’ goal now must be to convince him to sign an extension – that they are in talks over – to not only bring him in line with how well he’s playing but also secure what is far more than a £50million asset.

Scoring or assisting almost every time he plays for Brazil, most clubs in Europe would want him in their side right now and with that will come a bidding war in the summer.

Leeds’ task is to either convince him that he’s better off staying put until after the World Cup or getting consistently superb Premier League performances out of him to ensure that he gives us a fitting sale.

Either way, that needs to be done with a new deal, as soon as possible.

Bids like West Ham’s serve as proof that a club may want to unsettle a player and get him pondering a move, as Simon Jordan outlines here:

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.