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“It was crazy”- Former Leeds United employee shares how Marcelo Bielsa actually pulled off Raphinha transfer
Raphinha’s Rise to Stardom Traced Back to Leeds United Masterstroke
Raphinha is now considered among the elite in world football, but his journey to stardom truly began at Leeds United—and the club’s influence on his career has proven to be transformative.
From battling relegation in the Premier League with Leeds to potentially being in the running for a Ballon d’Or, Raphinha’s trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable.
His recent feats even see him matching records once held by none other than Lionel Messi, a testament to his exceptional talent.
While his brilliance is now on full display at Barcelona, it was under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road that the Brazilian winger truly honed his craft.
Bielsa saw the potential in Raphinha early on—and played a pivotal role in bringing him to Yorkshire, even when the deal looked nearly impossible.
The Inside Story of Raphinha’s Leeds Transfer
Marcelo Bielsa’s eye for talent was key to the signing of Raphinha from Rennes in 2020.
According to former Leeds analyst and Bielsa’s translator, Andres Clavijo, the transfer was far from straightforward.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Clavijo recalled:
“I remember telling Marcelo, ‘He’s probably out of our budget. Rennes won’t let him go for less than £30 million after the season he’s had.’ They’d only just signed him from Sporting for around £20m.”
Despite the initial doubts, Bielsa contacted then-director of football Victor Orta.
Rennes initially shut the door, saying a deal was impossible—but that stance changed in the final days of the transfer window.
“It was crazy that we pulled that off,” Clavijo said. “We could not believe our luck.”
The rest is history. Raphinha went on to become one of Leeds’ brightest stars before sealing a £55 million move to Barcelona.
Why Daniel Farke Must Find the Next Raphinha
Daniel Farke has built a talented and competitive Leeds squad, but many fans feel the team lacks a player with the electrifying impact Raphinha once brought.
The current lineup is solid, but it’s missing a standout star capable of commanding a huge fee or turning games on their own.
To elevate the club back into the Premier League and stay there, Leeds will need that kind of spark again.
Names like Brighton’s Evan Ferguson and Aston Villa’s Emi Buendia have been linked in recent windows, and it’s players of that caliber—those who excite the crowd and shift the momentum—that Farke should be targeting.
Finding the “next Raphinha” wouldn’t just strengthen the squad—it could also become a major financial asset down the line, feeding into the 49ers’ long-term project at Elland Road.
