Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla believes Raphinha could prove to be a 'very important player' for new club Barcelona. Raphinha is set to be announced as a Barcelona player, joining the La Liga giants for a fee of £49 million, which will eventually rise to £57 million with future add-ons.
The 25-year-old has been the subject of interest from Chelsea and Arsenal, but the Brazilian was keen to join Barcelona, labelling joining them as a 'dream come true'. Raphinha signed for Leeds from French side Rennes in 2020, making 67 appearances for the Whites, scoring 17 goals and assisting 12.
The winger will join the Spanish club on a contract until 2027, and his Leeds team-mate Casilla believes Raphinha could become an integral member of the Barcelona squad.
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“I am of the mind that if he plays as he has done for Leeds and for Brazil, he could be a very important player for Barca,” Casilla said, as per Mundo Deportivo. “In training, when he was shooting, I didn’t bother diving.
“He’s a player that likes to (be) training and practicing a lot, and free-kicks are something he practices a lot.”
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