Leeds United face a tough task this summer to keep Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha at Elland Road, with giants of European football circling the club and looking to steal their stars. Both players remain under contract and are unlikely to cause trouble in forcing a move, but the financial clout of the likes of Manchester City or the allure of Champions League football that comes at Barcelona may prove too much to turn down.
Those two clubs are the ones most heavily linked, with Premier League champions Man City understood to be preparing a bid for Phillips while Barcelona have made clear their intention to sign Raphinha - despite admitting €500 million to save the club from financial despair. And while both officials and fans in West Yorkshire understand their heroes desire to test themselves on the European stage, it is those in charge that must dig in their heels.
Andrea Radrizzani has been a long-time admirer of Leicester City’s transfer model. Since winning the league in miraculous circumstances during the 2015/2016 season the club have offloaded one of most prized assets for a huge fee each summer, using the money from the sale and shrewd recruitment to unearth high potential in under-appreciated targets.
