West Ham bid rejected for Leeds winger Raphinha – report
West Ham have had a deadline busting bid for Leeds United winger Raphinha rejected, according to journalist Gianluigi Longari.
The Hammers have turned their attention to the Brazilian winger, who has been in electric form for the Whites this season with eight goals and two assists in the Premier League.
But according to reliable journalist Longari, a bid has been rejected for the 25-year-old as we approach the final 72 hours of the transfer window.
90min claimed that it would take a ‘substantial offer‘ for Leeds to entertain any sort of deal, but Longari says the first bid has been rejected and that there is ‘no chance‘ of a deal happening.
West Ham currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League, while Leeds are in 15th and just five points above the relegation zone.
Blow
This was always a shot in the dark from West Ham, trying to sign a relegation candidates best player right at the end of the window.
But while the news isn’t ideal, it shows that the club are absolutely heading in the right direction and targeting the right type of player to take them forward.
Raphinha has got superstar like quality and was described as ‘phenomenal‘ by ex-Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford earlier this season.
His dribbling, skill, pace and eye for goal has seen him linked with moves to the top European clubs so this was likely David Moyes’ chance to move ahead in the race by going early.
Unfortunately Leeds aren’t willing to play ball with their top flight future still in the balance, so West Ham will have to try again or look elsewhere before Monday’s deadline.
In other West Ham news, West Ham enter talks for last-ditch transfer, price GSB must pay shared – Sky Sports