Widespread reports have emerged this weekend suggesting that Leeds United are set to sign Brazilian winger Raphinha from Rennes.
The 23-year-old was an important player for the Ligue 1 outfit last term as they secured a top-four finish, qualifying for the Champions League after the French top flight was curtailed back in March.
He’s also made a strong start to the new season, registering two assists for the in-form side. Rennes currently sit top of Ligue 1 after taking 13 points from the first five games.
Raphinha, not to be confused with Barcelona midfielder Rafinha who was linked with Leeds last month, would be the fourth first-team arrival at Elland Road this summer following Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and club-record signing Rodrigo Moreno.
Here is a round-up of everything we know so far about the player's future and Leeds' pursuit of his signature.
Brazilian set for medical
Sky Sports are among the outlets reporting that Raphinha will undergo a medical this morning after arriving in England on Sunday evening.
An agreement of around £17million is said to be in place between Leeds and Rennes, with a five-year deal on the table.
The winger scored against Reims yesterday in what looks to be his farewell appearance for the Ligue 1 club.
'Broad agreement' over £17m fee
According to The Athletic, Leeds are 'very close' to agreeing a deal with Rennes for the player, with broad agreement over a £17m fee, plus add-ons.
The fee would represent decent value for Leeds, given that Raphinha only joined the French side in a club-record €20m (£18m) from Sporting Lisbon.
The winger fits the profile of players Leeds have been linked with throughout the summer, with the reported pursuits of Rangers’ Ryan Kent and Manchester United’s Daniel James suggesting that Marcelo Bielsa was keen on another wide attacker for his first-team squad.
Flying in to get the deal done
The Sun report that Raphinha is currently en route to the UK to put pen to paper on a deal with Leeds, with the fee in the region of £21m - a little more than the £17m originally reported elsewhere.
Rennes are set to play a Ligue 1 fixture against Reims later this afternoon, but if reports are to be believed, he’ll be absent from their matchday squad.
Another interesting tidbit from that reports that Championship side Derby County were weighing up an audacious move for the player.
What this means for Daniel James
Leeds already have experience of one fraught, down-to-the-wire move for Dan James, after the Wales international completed a medical and media duties only for his move from Swansea to break down at the last minute back in January 2019.
The 22-year-old since moved to Manchester United and made 26 Premier League starts for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side last term.
It’s since been suggested that Leeds and Bielsa retain a firm interest in the player and were plotting to sign him - on a loan deal, at least - for the 2020/21 season.
It’s believed that the Red Devils would allow him to leave if they were to sign a player of a similar profile, with Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele tipped.
However, with one day left of the transfer window and the Sancho situation going quiet, Leeds can’t afford to wait for the first domino to fall so close to the deadline. That uncertainty may well have precipitated their move for an alternative option in Raphinha.
Transfer announcement
In what would be a curious move from the club’s communications team if a move away is indeed imminent, Raphinha was drafted in by Rennes social media team to announce the loan signing of his Brazilian compatriot Dalbert.
The 27-year-old left-back arrives from Inter Milan, becoming the second Brazilian in their first-team squad.
“Raphinha has someone to introduce to you…” Rennes tweeted yesterday, alongside a video of the two players.
English lessons
The player himself gave a hint that a Premier League move could be in the works last month when he took to social media to request an English teacher.
“I'm looking for Brazilians to teach English, I'm open to negotiations,” he posted back on September 14 with the message in Portuguese, French and English.
Dreaming of the Premier League
“I came to France with the desire to always improve,” Raphinha told Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte in an interview given earlier in the summer.
“It also means going to bigger clubs. The Premier League is the strongest league in the world and I want to play there.”
He went on to say his ultimate dream would be to play for Brazil at a World Cup.
Everton star Richarlison can perhaps serve as an inspiration in that regard, a key player in the national set-up under Tite, having received the call-up after impressing in the Premier League.
