Here are the latest Leeds United evening headlines on Sunday, 12 June 2022.
Raphinha and Arsenal links
Arsenal’s summer transfer pursuit of Leeds United winger Raphinha will depend on the future of Nicolas Pepe, according reporter Charles Watts. The Gunners became the latest club to join the race for Raphinha last week as they look to beef up their squad ready for European football.
But Arsenal currently have two right wingers on their books at the moment; talisman Bukayo Saka and record signing Pepe. And Watts has claimed that Arsenal will only make a move for Raphinha if Pepe leaves – who has struggled since his move from Lille in 2019.
Speaking on YouTube, he said: “I think what happens with Nicolas Pepe is going to be key. I don’t see a way that Raphinha arrives if Nicolas Pepe stays. They both play in the same position, both play on the right. You’ve got Bukayo Saka there already. And it doesn’t really make sense financially if you’re bringing Raphinha in while Pepe is still at the club.”
READ MORE: Wales boss backs reported Leeds United target to shine in the Premier League
Phillips on England
Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips does not believe England’s lack of goals is cause for major concern. The Three Lions have scored just one penalty in three matches during the June international period in which they are yet to win.
England currently sit bottom of their Nations League group after picking up two points from their opening three fixtures. Goals have never been a problem during Gareth Southgate’s reign but they have seriously dried up in the last seven days, which has sparked cause for concern that England are failing to get the best out of their array of attacking talent.
However, Leeds midfielder Phillips has dismissed those suggestions, claiming that with the players at England’s disposal, goals will soon arrive. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Not much of a worry to be fair. With the strikers that we’ve got we know that they are prolific, and we’ve just got to create chances. As long as we keep trying to create as many chances as possible then eventually the goals are going to come.”
Read more here.
Roca deal close
Leeds United look set to land their third major signing of the season in Marc Roca after they Bayern Munich man rejected other offers, according to reports. The Whites have been heavily linked with the midfielder as they look to add reinforcements to a fragile midfield, and the 25-year-old was top of their shortlist.
Despite only making nine Bundesliga appearances this season, the Spanish midfielder has caught the eye of Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch for his quality on the ball - and no doubt Orta will have been aware of the silky playmaker from his time at Espanyol.
And now Spanish outlet Marca have reported that Roca will choose Leeds after rejecting offers from other clubs in Spain, with a fee of around £10 million and a contract of three or four years.
Read more here.
