Raphinha: West Ham one of several clubs interested in Leeds winger - Sky Sports 27/1/22
The Brazilian's contract talks with Leeds are said to be positive, with his current deal running until 2024; West Ham are interested in Raphinha, who has scored eight goals in 19 appearances for Leeds this season
A number of clubs, including West Ham, are interested in
Leeds winger Raphinha.
The Brazilian's contract talks with Leeds are said to be
positive, with his current deal running until 2024.
But West Ham are keeping an eye on his situation while those
negotiations are ongoing.
Raphinha has been a revelation since his arrival at Leeds
from Rennes in 2020 and has scored eight goals this term as well as making two
assists.
The 25-year-old is represented by former Barcelona and
Chelsea star Deco, who said last year that Raphinha is ambitious to play at a
higher level.
Raphinha played for Brazil in their eventful 1-1 World Cup
qualifying draw with Ecuador.
West Ham interested in Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike is wanted by West Ham having previously been
linked with Newcastle
West Ham are interested in signing Reims striker Hugo
Ekitike.
It is thought Reims would expect in excess of £25m (€30m)
for the 19-year-old, who was wanted by Newcastle United earlier in the window.
One source has told Sky Sports News that talks are underway
between the clubs for Ekitike, who has scored eight goals in 10 Ligue 1 games
this season. Last week, Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot gave an interview
to Le Quotidien du Sport in France outlining why they rejected Newcastle's
offer for Ekitike.
"It is true that many [clubs] now realise the qualities
of the player, but not us. He was trained with us and what he does does not
surprise us," he said.
"Newcastle positioned themselves, we discussed it,
[and] they made a proposal which does not suit us. As we don't necessarily want
to see him leave, we have set the bar quite high.
"They offered us €35m (£29.1m) in total but with many
bonuses, some of which were almost impossible to achieve - like, for example,
winning the Champions League.
"We want €30m (£24.9m) fixed plus €10m (£8.3m) in
realisable bonuses."
Liverpool spurn Leeds and Monaco interest in Minamino
Liverpool have rejected initial approaches from Leeds and
Monaco for forward Takumi Minamino.
The Japan international has made 18 appearances this season
but only six of those have been starts and four of those came in the Carabao
Cup.
However, in spite of the expression of interest from the
Ligue 1 club and fellow Premier League side the PA news agency understands
Liverpool have turned down both.
While Minamino is well behind Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane,
Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota in the pecking order Jurgen Klopp's side are
still in four competitions - they have a League Cup final against Chelsea in a
month's time - is it believed there is no real desire to offload the
27-year-old.
It would take a considerable offer for them to be persuaded
to consider allowing the player, signed from RB Salzburg in January 2020 for
£7.25m, to leave.
