ESPN Brasil have managed to get an interview with Leeds United midfielder Raphinha, who brought some details of his transfer to the Whites.
The 23-year-old had joined Rennes in a €19m deal back in 2019, and was suddenly sold to the Premier League club after only one year in France.
Raphinha explained why the agreement with Leeds United was so unexpected, as things happened very quickly in the final days of the transfer window.
“I arrived here on a Monday, and had found out about the proposal on Saturday,” Raphinha told ESPN Brasil.
The Brazilian admitted he expected to be sold for more, and the amount for which Rennes let him go has made him a little upset with the French side.
“I was focused on playing in the Champions League at Rennes. But, knowing that, out of the blue, they accepted an offer from Leeds, for an amount even less than the purchase, made me feel devalued.
“I played on Sunday and, after the match, they put the whole responsibility on me, on leaving,” he says.
“Until Saturday, at noon, I was focused on the game. The transfer window was closed, I knew that nothing more would happen. And I was told that Rennes would only sell me for an offer of 60 million euros, but they sold me for 15 million. I felt devalued.”
Raphinha, however, claims to be glad with the move now, since he’s had a good adaptation at Leeds United and is happy with his first months at the club.
“I was treated very well, I felt the same affection that I felt at Rennes, I felt that they wanted me here. It was very rewarding.
“Today I’m happy at Leeds, they showed me the club’s project, I liked it, I’m an athlete that always wants to win, I was very happy with that.”
Raphinha struggled a little to get in Marcelo Bielsa’s team at first, but now seems to have secured his place, as he started their last three games in the Premier League.
He has a contract with Leeds until 2024.
