Leeds United will be ecstatic to have Raphinha on their roster, since the Barcelona winger is perhaps the best player in the world right now.
Raphinha will undoubtedly be missed by Leeds supporters, but by leaving Elland Road, the Brazilian has achieved new heights.
Raphinha, 28, has been on fire this season, having hit 30 goals and assists in January and now up to 39.
It’s no surprise to Leeds fans, who saw this potential in his two seasons with the Yorkshire club before leaving in 2022.
Victor Orta, the former Leeds Director of Football, sold him, and now Raphinha has returned to haunt him.
Former Leeds United player Raphinha returns to stalk Victor Orta.
Crysencio Summerville called Raphinha ‘absurd’ at Leeds, and the Brazilian has certainly outperformed the West Ham star.
Raphinha did it again this weekend, scoring in Barcelona’s 4-1 triumph over Sevilla after 55 minutes.
Raphinha easily moved past the onrushing Sevilla defender before sending a thunderous effort into the bottom right corner for Barcelona’s third goal.
Orta sold Raphinha to Leeds for £55 million, and now that he is Sevilla’s sports director, the decision has come back to haunt him.
Leeds are still paying off Raphinha’s deal without Orta’s help.
While £55 million for the Brazilian was a fair value at the time, his performance at Elland Road could have justified a higher price.
Not only that, but the Whites have lost money so far in the transaction, which is entirely Orta’s fault.
Leeds are still owed £35.7 million for Raphinha’s transfer, as Orta’s bargaining has left the Whites waiting for more than half of the actual sum to be repaid.
It was in a worse situation in April, when Leeds were still owed £190 million in outstanding transfer fees, which is another of Orta’s shortcomings.
Following these wrongdoings, Leeds fans will have been relieved to see Raphinha score against Orta’s side, as karma prevails.
