Leeds United selling Raphinha to Liverpool would be a “travesty”, according to their former striker Noel Whelan.
The 24-year-old is excelling for Marcelo Bielsa’s side this season, enjoying eight goal contributions in the Premier League (four goals and four assists) and playing a key role in them sitting 10th in the division currently.
Liverpool have been seen as front-runners to sign Raphinha this summer, with Jurgen Klopp eyeing him up as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds on Monday [via ThisIsFutbol], however, Whelan was bullish about Leeds keeping hold of him, bemoaning the prospect of losing him:
They can knock on the door, but we are not a selling club, we are not a club in financial difficulties. We are rebuilding the team and he is part of this rebuilding process.
And we are going to add other players in the summer as well that is going to compliment him and the rest of the players we have got at this football club, that is all it is
If we sell him that is a travesty and that goes against everything what we are trying to do.
And I do not think that the regime here, that is what they want to do. They are building, they are happy.
It is like a fine wine, you hold it for longer and longer, he is worth more. That is Raphinha right now.
Read Liverpool Verdict
Just hearing how highly Whelan rates Raphinha speaks volumes about why Liverpool are reportedly interested in him.
The Brazilian looks like a Liverpool playing in-waiting, given his attacking quality and work ethic, and he looks a very exciting proposition.
Raphinha is averaging 1.6 key passes and 1.5 dribbles per game this season, which is more than Salah (1.5 and 1.2).
