Here are the latest Leeds United morning headlines on Sunday, 12 June 2022.
Monaco lead Minamino race
Monaco are reportedly leading the race for Liverpool attacker Takumi Minamino, according to the Times. Leeds United are one of a host of clubs linked with the Japan international, but as it stands it is the French side are at the front of the queue.
It had been reported that Wolves were ahead in the race but it now appears Monaco have stolen a march on Minamino’s Premier League suitors. Leeds will have to act fast if they want to bring the 27-year-old to Elland Road this summer.
Elis’ Premier League dream
Boavista striker Alberth Elis has admitted it would be a ‘dream’ to play in the Premier League amid intensifying interest from Leeds United. The Honduran international spent last season on loan at French side Bordeaux where he scored nine goals in 20 Ligue 1 appearances.
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His side were eventually relegated but they have a clause in which they can sign the striker for £6 million from his parent club, with reports suggesting they will do so before selling him on instantly for a profit. The Whites are looking into signing the striker , who has admitted it would be a dream to play in the English top-flight.
“For now, I have a contract with the team; I have to respect it,” he told El Heraldo. “I am very grateful to them for the support they gave me, for the way they received me when I arrived in France.
“My dream has always been to play in the English league, and let’s hope that it will happen; first of all, God will give me that opportunity, and I will be able to take advantage of it.”
Read more here.
Tite on Raphinha
Brazil manager Tite has admitted he was initially unaware of Leeds United winger Raphinha prior to his first call-up. Raphinha was handed his Brazil debut in October and has not looked back since, establishing himself as first choice in their front three alongside Neymar and ahead of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.
The 25-year-old has scored three goals and provided two assists in nine caps so far for his country and helped them secure qualification for the World Cup in Qatar later this year. Despite that, Seleção boss Tite has revealed he did not know much about Raphinha until his first call-up, claiming that it was his scouts who were initially insistent on ensuring he was given an opportunity.
In an interview with the Times, he said: “The scouting staff came to me saying, ‘Have a look at this lad, we have been scouting him closely’. I was not paying much attention, but they insisted. ‘Look at his numbers!’. Then we phoned [Marcelo] Bielsa, and he gave us information that supported the conclusions. His quality is impressive.”
