The future of Leeds United star Raphinha is currently a hot topic and was discussed on the latest episode of The Blue White and Yellow, our Leeds United podcast.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona, leaving some supporters bracing themselves for bids for the beloved Brazil international.
Our Leeds United club writer Beren Cross was asked if he expects Raphinha to move on in the summer by host Conor McGilligan and answered: "I probably wouldn't say expect. I wouldn't expect him to leave but I would expect rumours and I'd expect interest.
"I think we all know by now that Leeds haven't made any significant sales since promotion really to offset some of the investment that's been made and I think we're all expecting more investment in the summer, I think we need it."
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Raphinha is not the only member of Jesse Marsch's squad hitting the headlines for reportedly attracting interest, as Kalvin Phillips has also been mentioned as a target for some of Leeds' Premier League rivals.
Cross explained: "As uncomfortable as it is, Raphinha, Phillips and [Illan] Meslier are the three big ticket items in that Leeds squad, so there's going to be interest. If you are a Premier League side with players of that quality and you're not playing in Europe, you're always going to be at risk of having your players poached.
"And now we're two seasons into the Premier League, I think after last season, that first year, you can understand there might have been a bit more caution from clubs looking at Raphinha.
"He'd had a good second half of last season but people obviously want to see a bit more from him and of course it was only one year at Leeds and he's now another year into his contract with two to go. They will test the waters and you would not be surprised if there was a sale of quite significant value this summer."
Recruitment was intensely scrutinised during the latter stages of Marcelo Bielsa's reign, particularly when the club did not bolster their ranks during the January transfer window.
Cross said: "Even if Leeds stay up, we know that squad does need some reinforcement. It was the ongoing narrative under Bielsa, it's going to continue to be a narrative under Marsch until they start to get some bodies in the door so that money doesn't come from nowhere.
"[Andrea] Radrizzani and the Premier League money and the 49ers [Enterprises] can provide the finances in their own way if they need to but I think it is going to keep the balance sheet happy if they are able to sell players if they are going to follow this Leicester [City] model that Radrizzani keeps talking about.
Although our Leeds United club writer expects interest in Raphinha, he discussed the benefit of potentially keeping hold of him until the 2022 World Cup has ended.
There are numerous examples of player values skyrocketing following stellar displays at an international tournament and Raphinha will be hoping to be on the plane to Qatar with Brazil.
Cross said: "I think if Leeds could handpick, I think if they'd sort of resigned themselves to losing somebody for big money in the next 18 months, then I think they would probably handpick after the World Cup because as we all know, if Raphinha goes to the World Cup and explodes with Brazil, he could be a £100m player based on the transfer market and the way the World Cup inflates values.
"So, I'm sure they'd rather it was in 2023, maybe in the January window rather than in the coming summer window, but we'll have to see what comes in. I would be amazed if there aren't some big money offers."
Liverpool have previously been linked with the winger but their January capture of Colombia star Luis Diaz could mean they steer clear of targeting Raphinha in the summer.
Cross said: "I wonder what Liverpool will do now because they've obviously got Diaz and I think they're probably quite well-stocked in that area. I think Diaz probably was their Raphinha signing so I wonder if Liverpool might back away now. You can look at any of the other big clubs and see why they would want Raphinha.
"He would go into many of their sides so there's going to be a bidding war perhaps. You would think at Leeds, if they are going to sell him, then they're going to want as much money as possible.
"They are a business after all and they need to make money, they need to keep the club financially secure moving forward, in a transfer sense. I wouldn't say I expect him to leave but I would expect a lot of interest and there's going to be some quite difficult conversations for Leeds if the offers do start going up towards £60, £70, £80m. That's serious, serious money, Leeds fans don't need me to tell them that."
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