Andrea Radrizzani left Leeds United under a cloud after a number of mistakes towards the end of his tenure at Elland Road – and Deco suggests he broke promises during talks to sell Raphinha.
After two seasons, 67 games and 29 goals and assists for the Whites – Leeds sold Raphinha to Barca. The 27-year-old has since impressed at Barca; he is realising a dream by moving to The Nou Camp.
He has had a hand in 33 goals in 71 games for Barcelona – but has still earned criticism from some supporters of the Spanish giants. He has Premier League interest, with Tottenham making a £60m bid.
Deco – who was Raphinha’s agent during the move and has since become Barcelona’s sporting director – shares how Radrizzani promised Raphinha a move to Barcelona. But then, Chelsea made a bigger bid.
He told FourFourTwo of how Radrizzani went back on that promise, and wanted to sell Raphinha to the London club in the summer of 2022. But Deco made sure a £55m move to Barcelona went through.
“Leeds wanted to sell Raphinha. Then bids came in, even bigger than Barcelona’s. The owner of Chelsea [Todd Boehly] called, put pressure on me, really wanted Raphinha. The owner of Leeds had promised, in a desperate moment for Leeds, to sell Raphinha to Barcelona for a certain amount,” Deco claimed.
“After the club avoided relegation, largely due to Raphinha’s contribution, the president changed his stance because of Chelsea’s offer. I did waive my fee because I thought Raphinha deserved to be happy where he dreamed of playing. He wanted Barcelona. It was an effort I made so he could be here.”
Deco says Andrea Radrizzani broke promise in Raphinha exit
It comes as little surprise to hear that Radrizzani had jumped the gun and made a mistake in talks. His claims on Twitter – regarding Bamba Dieng – or his decision to pursue buying Sampdoria while owner.
Radrizzani made a number of questionable, impulsive moments at Leeds that came back to bite him. Hopefully, Leeds get the money back from Barca’s signing of Raphinha in months and years to come.
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