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“I regret selling Raphinha to Leeds United at that penny amount”- Ex-Rennes Chief Slams Club Politics Over Cut-Price Raphinha Sale to Leeds”
Olivier Létang Admits Selling Raphinha to Leeds Was a Major Error
Former Stade Rennais president Olivier Létang has admitted it was a significant mistake to let Raphinha leave the club for a relatively low fee, describing the sale to Leeds United as a “real mistake.”
Létang, who brought the Brazilian winger to Rennes from Sporting Lisbon in 2019, reflected on the transfer in a recent interview with Eurosport France.
Raphinha made an immediate impact in Ligue 1, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists in his debut season.
Despite his standout performances, Rennes sold him to Leeds in 2020 for around €17 million. After two impressive seasons at Elland Road, he joined Barcelona in July 2022.
Since moving to Spain, the 28-year-old has reached new heights, scoring 32 goals and assisting 25 more in 53 appearances for Barcelona.
He also scored in their dramatic Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan, which they narrowly lost 7-6 on aggregate.
Had Barcelona progressed to the final—or won the competition—Leeds were reportedly set to receive a £10 million bonus due to a clause in the £55 million transfer deal.
Speaking ahead of the second leg at San Siro, Létang—now president of Lille—reflected on how Raphinha’s departure from Rennes came about. He was dismissed by the club in February 2020, just months before Raphinha’s move to Leeds.
Asked whether the transfer was a mistake, Létang didn’t hesitate: “Given his career path—no surprise, considering his talent and mentality—the answer is clear.
I’m convinced he would’ve had an exceptional second season at Rennes if he had stayed.”
Létang went further, claiming Raphinha was effectively forced out of the club: “Raphinha wanted to stay and play in the Champions League.
He was pushed out. I remember the day he called me, shocked, saying: ‘My president, they want me to leave.’ He was extremely disappointed. But once he understood the politics behind the scenes, he no longer wanted to play for certain people.”
