Leeds United star Raphinha has already declared he's happy at Leeds United amid fresh reports of interest from Liverpool.
The Whites' Brazilian star is reportedly subject to interest from the Reds and Manchester United, with the latter said to have launched a £32million bid for his services, according to Futbol de Ingelaterra.
Raphinha is tied down to a long contract at Elland Road after his £15million switch from Rennes last summer and remains an integral part of the club's plans moving forward.
Regardless of outside noise, Leeds would demand a high price for Raphinha, especially after his comments last week regarding a potential exit.
Speaking for the first time about the alleged interest from Liverpool and Manchester United, Raphinha openly declared his happiness to remain at Elland Road, though admitted watching the two English giants from a young age.
“It is difficult to define how I feel when I hear speculation about giant teams like Liverpool and Manchester United interested in signing me,” Raphinha told UOL Sport.
“Man, I grew up watching these teams on television. I saw Rooney, Van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo, but I also saw Gerrard, as well as others like Henry, Deco, Lampard.
“There are so many players of such quality that it is difficult to say if I mirrored one of them.
“I think I mirrored the championship, you know? I loved watching and dreamed of playing here.
“And today I'm making people happy with my football. I am not only talking about the other clubs, but also Leeds, who was the one who bet on me.
“They are all very happy, including the fans who seem to have a great affection for me.
“I have a contract for another four years and I don't even think about leaving here for exactly this reason: I am happy and making others happy.”
The connections to Liverpool and Manchester United are easy to make, with Raphinha close friends with United's Bruno Fernandes and also with Firmino among the number of fellow Brazilians on Merseyside.
And it was Reds striker Firmino, who Raphinha said was the first to message him when he signed his deal from Rennes to Leeds back in October last year.
“Funny that I have friends in both clubs. Bruno Fernandes played with me for a year that seemed like many more at Sporting (Lisbon). He became almost an older brother,” Raphinha added.
“We talk every day, but no football, just our antics. Even from a distance, it helps me a lot.
“At United, there's Alex Telles. I did not even know how many times against him, a hard scorer, but always with respect. There's Fred, who's from the South too.
“But in Liverpool there is Alisson who is from the South too, so everything stays the same. There is still Fabinho, who is from the same place as Firmino and I.
“In fact, did you know that Firmino was the first guy who texted me when I came here? He's a great friend.”
