Raphinha's agent explains why winger chose to join Leeds
By Tom Gott
The agent of Leeds United's Raphinha has revealed the chance to work under Marcelo Bielsa played a major part in the winger's decision to move to Leeds last summer.
Leeds swooped late in the summer window to strike a £17m deal for the Brazilian, who had enjoyed an impressive season with Ligue 1 side Rennes in the previous year and had attracted plenty of interest from across the continent.
Sitting down with the LUFC Fanzone Podcast, Raphinha's agent, former Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder Deco, explained just how much Leeds wanted to sign the winger and how they managed to win the race for his signature.
"There was two or three clubs, Italian clubs but like I said, Premier League was the best league at this moment - Raphinha wants to play at the high level, his decision was Leeds because of that," Deco began. "We don't know why Rennes decide to sell Raphinha, that is a question for them not Raphinha.
"The decision to come to Leeds was because it is a historical club, the coach was important in his decision too because he could learn a lot off the coach.
"I don't know if it was a financial decision, or a technical decision, but at the end more important is the future. Raphinha is now Leeds, he's playing well, he's enjoying.
"Maybe Rennes, they see Raphinha playing, maybe they made a mistake but the important thing is to look in front, to look in the future."
Deco was also asked about rumours linking Raphinha with a move away from Elland Road in the summer. The likes of Manchester United and Liverpool have been touted as potential suitors for the 24-year-old, but Deco remained tight-lipped about it all.
“Like I say, we never know, we never know. But it’s not time to think about that, it’s time to play football,” he insisted. “I believe this team can reach something important this season and I’m sure Raphinha is only thinking about that.
“It’s normal that there is speculation about transfers and everything, but I believe that there is a time for that and this is not the time. This time is for work, the time is to play. In Raphinha’s head we’ll never know, but I think it’s too early to talk about that.
“The first thing is we need to finish this league in the best qualification possible and Raphinha is enjoying it, which is sometimes more important than any movement. Of course, it’s a club decision first and we need to respect the club, but at this moment with Raphinha, from our side, we don’t think about that.”