Blistering as Leeds United’s start to the transfer window has been, the replacement strategy for Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips always felt like the backbone of this summer. With the latter’s Manchester City exit expected next week, we are about to see the next phase of Victor Orta’s grand plan.
Going into the summer, before the champions’ interest in Phillips came to the fore, Raphinha felt like the most likely of the two to move on in this window. With the England international now likely to be the first, it’s hard to suddenly feel the Brazilian is going to stay put.
Arsenal may flutter their eyelashes, but it’s plain to see all parties are effectively waiting for Barcelona to wake from their slumber and get this Raphinha deal done. If Barca, or another suitor, stumps up the cash needed, Leeds should feel an influx of more than £100m once you take into account the Phillips fee.
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On Friday afternoon, City sources insisted the deal stood at £42m plus £3m in add-ons, while the United end is hopeful of between £50m and £55m if all the agreed clauses come to be triggered. Either way, Leeds now need quality to soften these expected blows.
Darko Gyabi will not be expected to plug the Phillips gap in the Whites squad, though he is well-liked in the Leeds recruitment department. Of the names linked with Leeds, Tyler Adams is understood to be the highest on the list, but that does not rule out players not yet in the public domain who may be better fancied.
Another eight-figure fee on a central midfielder, to follow Marc Roca, has to be a prerequisite with the loss of Phillips. A winger, or the equivalent in Jesse Marsch’s system, is also expected if Raphinha does eventually move on.
Charles De Ketelaere is admired, but a big ask amid the continental competition for his signature. Cody Gakpo rose up Orta’s shortlists in January, but may not be as prominent this summer.
A striker too, based on the confidence Leeds had in acquiring Eddie Nketiah, will not be far from Orta’s thoughts. Arnaud Kalimuendo remains of interest, but he also has multiple suitors in Europe.
The money raised from the Phillips and, expected, Raphinha sales does not necessarily have to be splurged on direct replacements, it can be spread across more arrivals. It’s likely those fees will enhance Orta’s chances of bringing in the high-class striker he so desires.
With the chips slowly, but surely, beginning to fall on at least one of the big-name departures, Leeds can finally shift into a next phase which provides the financial muscle to open new doors for Orta.
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