Good Morning. It's Thursday 30th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Barca attempt to hijack Raphinha deal Chelsea’s hopes of completing the £60m - £65m capture of Raphinha appear to have suffered a major blow, after his representative Deco was spotted leaving Barcelona’s offices alongside Mateu Alemany and Enric Masip (advisor to Barca President Joan Laporta) yesterday lunchtime. Having agreed a deal totalling £65m, Leeds gave Chelsea their blessing to discuss personal terms with the Brazilian forward, theoretically ending months of speculation, linking him to the Camp Nou. Unfortunately, nothing is straight forward as far as Raphinha is concerned. Barcelona and Deco have been plotting behind Leeds Utd's backs for most of the year, but do not have the funds to complete the purchase, prompting both Arsenal, and now Chelsea to create a bidding war for the 25yo. It is feared that Barcelona may try and persuade Raphinha to hold tight until after the World Cup in January, when his contract will have only 18 months to run. This could have a detrimental effect on his asking price! Come home Gjanni Social media lit up yesterday afternoon, as it was confirmed that Ezgjan Alioski had terminated his contract with Al-Ahli following their relegation from the Saudi Pro League. The likeable North Macedonian International gained cult status during his four-year stay at Elland Road, where he made 161 appearances, netting 21 times. He was nicknamed the 'Duracell bunny' as he covered every blade of grass, and never stopped running. He was a popular member of the squad too. Many times, the (now) 30yo would pull pranks, much to the amusement of the Elland Road faithful. Gjanni is now looking for a new club, with many suggesting that he could have a part to play should he come back to Leeds next season. Would you like to see him back at Elland Road, or would he be another player who doesn't quite hit the mark? please log in to view this image Leeds focused on Gakpo capture Dutch winger Cody Gakpo has emerged as the most likely candidate to replace Raphinha, as long as Leeds can convince the 23yo to join. This won't be easy, as a host of European Clubs including AC Milan, Arsenal and Spurs are also all vying for his signature. Current club PSV are not in a hurry to let one of their star players leave the Phillips Stadium. Having netted 21 times last season, and 15 assists, the Dutch Giants have offered Gakpo a lucrative new contract, to convince him to stay. The lure of the Premier League may be too good to turn down, and according to PSV journalist Elfrink, Gakpo is already in talks with Leeds about a £34m (€40m) move to West Yorkshire:- ‘Gakpo is in talks with Leeds’, who will need to smash their transfer record to sign the winger." please log in to view this image
Up and at em early this morning Ell. Alioski was the weak link. Don't want him back just because Firpo has failed. We need a good left back. I wish him all the best though.
Personally Id be delighted. An extra few months with us would be worth valuable points that might make the difference in being relegated and staying up. That's worth a hell of a lot more than the few million his value might drop. My interest is in seeing quality on the pitch and I don't care who we sign, we still won't be getting better than Rapha
Alioski would i like him back? Offers a lot more than being just a player, imo was the linchpin in the dressing room that held all of Bielsa's cogs together, when he left we never seemed to be the same again, just coincidence? i am not so sure. however we are now moving on and i don't think as with any ex player they would be able to play a part in jesse's new team set up, so although it would pain me to say it's a no from me, however what ever he does next i wish him well, and thank him for everything he has done for us. Good morning all.
The sooner this fiasco is over the better. Get the best price for him now. His head hasn't been right for a while now and having the distraction of a world cup(avoiding injury) and a big money move next Jan(if he stays) won't help his performances IMO. As soon as a player is tapped up or wants to leave well they are dead to me.
Good morning all wakey here sometimes thick twat/gobshyte and spouter. How are we all today? Tip top and tickety boo i hope. Alioski is a no from me because as a defender he was not up to prem standard. Also why sign another shorthouse when height is required. Raphinha has two english clubs supposedly trying to sign him. Barca are skint and we should tell them to go look in the championship. One good world cup for raph and it's name your price.so he either goes for full price now or plays for us a while longer. As for giving the dutch that price for the winger forget it. Their league is not that good anymore and just imagine how many raph would score in that league. Gobshyte out.
Im still a little hopeful about Firpo. I thought he was decent in the last two pressure games of the season. Maybe the Bielsa system exposed his weaknesses and he might work out under JM. Im likely clutching at straws
You may be right Eire. I suppose it may have taken him a season to get used to the change in the intensity in the Prem, but if he is still as bad this season well there is no hope really. But we will see.
We did the traditional wetting of grandsons head last night and to say Im feeling a bit on the fragile side today would be an understatement
Raphinah Let’s play a game of cut your nose to spite your face Tell Barca that the price for Raphinah is 65 mill now and will be at least that in Jan pay up or we hold onto the player till his contract runs out then they can have him on a free It’s called brinkmanship
Morning all Firpo - I’m a huge critic of his but I can’t help myself feeling hopeful he’ll come good. It’s a bit like Tyler Roberts, I kept giving him another year it got me nowhere Raphinha - Let him stay until January set the asking price at £65m or more and if no bids come in Barcelona can wait another 18 months and have him for free. Two whole seasons with him playing has to be worth something. We must NOT let him leave cheaper than the Chelsea offer Alioski - No it’s time to move on I’m afraid Gakpo - Surely just a pipe dream I don’t believe we have even a remote chance of getting him, I’d love to be wrong but I can’t help feeling it’s a “we tried” smoke screen.
No. Firpo chased back and got a tackle in. Phillips waded through treackle and the rest of the back four just stood there like lemons and allowed the cross to come in. Put simply if you don't put the player in possession under pressure at PL level then it's likely you'll concede.
