“If they offer me £50 million, I want £70 million” – Simon Jordan urges club to raise selling price for ‘very talented’ Arsenal target
Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has urged Leeds United to play hardball over the potential sale of Raphinha.
Arsenal have submitted a formal bid for the Brazilian, according to reports from The Athletic. The bid is expected to be rejected by the Peacocks but speculation continues to grow over a potential move.
Raphinha was a key part of Leeds' Premier League survival under Jesse Marsch, registering 11 goals and three assists in 35 league appearances.
EXCL: Arsenal have this evening submitted a formal offer to Leeds for Raphinha. #AFC contacted #LUFC earlier to indicate intention to make bid & that has now landed. Falls well short of #LUFC valuation, expected to be rejected out of hand @TheAthleticUK theathletic.com/news/arsenal-l…🚨 EXCL: Arsenal have this evening submitted a formal offer to Leeds for Raphinha. #AFC contacted #LUFC earlier to indicate intention to make bid & that has now landed. Falls well short of #LUFC valuation, expected to be rejected out of hand @TheAthleticUK theathletic.com/news/arsenal-l…
Leeds United reportedly value the former Stade Rennais at €50 million (£42.9 million) (per TeamTalk). Simon Jordan, however, believes that Raphinha is vital to the West Yorkshire club and the £42.9 million reported fee is well below what Leeds should ask for a player of his quality.
He told TalkSPORT (via TeamTalk):
“Not enough, not enough for Leeds. He’s a good player, an integral part of Leeds. He’s a very very talented footballer from the same genre as Riyad Mahrez.”
Jordan continued:
“If Leeds are going to be forced into a situation where they sell him because Arsenal are currently doing better, they’ve got to pay top, top money. That’s what Leeds have to do and what Andrea Radrizzani has to achieve."
Jordan believes that Leeds should drive a hard bargain in negotiating over Raphinha, urging the side to negotiate a higher price:
“For Raphinha, as much as I can get. If they offer me £50 million, I want £70 million. If they offer me £70 million, I want £80 million. I’d want them to work as hard as they can and sweat the asset.
"They must make sure they get nothing from me that was vaguely resembling what they thought was a deal."
“[£50m] isn’t enough for Raphinha.”
“If #AFC want to buy him then they have got to pay top, top money!”
“If Arsenal offer £50m I’d want £70m! If they offer £70m, I’d want £80m!”
❌ “[£50m] isn’t enough for Raphinha.”
💷 “If #AFC want to buy him then they have got to pay top, top money!”
👊 “If Arsenal offer £50m I’d want £70m! If they offer £70m, I’d want £80m!”
Simon Jordan urges #LUFC to get everything they can for Raphinha 🇧🇷 https://t.co/oaZAStkkyc
Arsenal have competition in their pursuit of Leeds United winger Raphinha
Arsenal are not the only top European side attempting to lure Raphinha away from Elland Road this summer.
The Athletic reports that Barcelona and Chelsea are also in the race to sign the Brazilian, with both sides' Champions League qualification being key. Arsenal, on the other hand, failed to qualify for Europe's top club competition, finishing fifth in the Premier League last season.
Barcelona could do with his addition but financial complications are plaguing the La Liga side's pursuit of the Brazilian.
Arsenal have submitted a bid for Raphinha this evening however they are not his preferred destination, after Barcelona, it’s understood Chelsea would be Raphinha’s preferred choice over them.
@David_Ornstein @TheAthleticUK
Chelsea would be a good destination for Raphinha as they have regularly won silverware in the past decade and can offer Champions League football.
The Gunners' north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are also showing an interest in the winger but he is not a first-choice option for Antonio Conte.