Chelsea target Raphinha has said that he is ‘totally’ focused on his future with Leeds United despite rumours of a move to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues were linked with a move for the Brazilian international during the closing days of the January transfer window, with Bayern Munich also emerging as potential contenders for his services.
The former Rennes man elected to remain at Elland Road and will now stay until at least the end of the campaign before moving on.
Amid the links with Chelsea and Bayern, Raphinha has finally spoken out and has suggested that speculation does not even cross his mind as he attempts to continue turning in eye-catching displays for his current employers.
Talking to BBC Radio Leeds, he said: “I’ve got a contract until 2024, my head is totally here and focused on Leeds.
“As for contractual matters, I leave them to my agent and my dad.
“I just focus on playing my football and making the Leeds fans happy, scoring goals, providing assists and getting victories for the team.
“Contractual matters are for my agent, my focus is on making people happy with my football and doing as best as I can for Leeds.”
In his 54 appearances for the Yorkshire outfit since signing ahead of the 2020/21 season, the five-time Brazilian international has emerged as a key player for current boss Marcelo Bielsa.
He has scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists - with eight of those strikes alone coming during the first-half of the current campaign as Leeds attempt to steer themselves away from the relegation zone.
Raphinha’s current contract is set to run until the end of the 2023/24 season, a deal that Leeds will surely hope to extend sooner rather than later.
A move to Chelsea would certainly be a controversial move considering the historical uneasy relationship between the Blues and Leeds.
