Transfer Centre

Leeds United confirm Raphinha will miss pre-season tour

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 09 July 2022

Leeds confirm Raphinha will miss pre-season tour

Leeds United confirm that star attacker Raphinha will not be travelling with the squad for their pre-season tour of Australia, amid links with Barcelona and Chelsea.

Leeds United have confirmed that star attacker Raphinha will not be travelling with the squad for their pre-season tour of Australia.

The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Elland Road this summer, amid interest from the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Head coach Jesse Marsch revealed on Thursday that Raphinha has returned to first-team training with a "good attitude", but was unsure whether he would travel with the squad Down Under, adding that there is "urgency from his end" to decide his future.

A recent report claims that Raphinha has requested to not be included on their pre-season tour, and Leeds have since confirmed their 26-man squad travelling to Australia, which does not include the Brazilian.

The Whites have also stated that all players not selected will continue their pre-season preparations at Thorp Arch training ground.

Chelsea are believed to be leading the race at present to sign Raphinha, having already had a bid accepted between £55m and £60m, while Barcelona have allegedly tabled an offer worth €55m (£46.6m), which is unlikely to be accepted by Leeds as it falls below Chelsea's bid.

It is though that Raphinha would prefer to join Barca and is holding out for a move to Camp Nou, with his agent Deco understood to have been informed to block offers from Chelsea.

Raphinha, who has two years remaining on his contract in West Yorkshire, has scored 17 goals and provided 12 assists in 67 appearances for Leeds across all competitions.