Newcastle transfer news: Magpies want to sign Raphinha but deal is now unlikely

Add as preferred source on Google

Raphinha to Newcastle United is now unlikely.

That’s according to the Telegraph, who claim the Magpies have been monitoring the Leeds United attacker.

Their report states that a move to St James’ Park is now unlikely after Jesse Marsch’s side achieved Premier League survival. They secured their top flight status on the final day of the season, beating Brentford 2-1.

Staying up meant Raphinha’s relegation release clause wasn’t activated, and thus Leeds can charge whatever they want for him. He’s been valued at £60million, but dropping into the Championship would have made him available for around £30million.

Newcastle will therefore look elsewhere, and are now being heavily linked with Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby. He would be an incredible signing for the Magpies.

But Eddie Howe will be left wondering ‘what if’ with Raphinha, knowing he inadvertently blew his side’s chances of signing him.

Newcastle played a key role in keeping Leeds and Raphinha in the Premier League

Leeds’ fight to stay in the Premier League went to the final day. It looked for all the world that they would be the ones relegated down to the Championship.

Going into the final game of the season, they knew they could only stay up if they bettered Burnley’s result.

Luckily for the Yorkshire side, they were able to do that after Newcastle beat the Clarets. Howe’s side won 2-1 at Turf Moor, courtesy of two goals from Callum Wilson and some excellent late defending.

The result meant Leeds had the chance they needed to survive, and they took it with both hands. A draw would have been enough, but Jack Harrison’s late strike put matters beyond doubt.

Leeds won and Burnley lost, meaning Mike Jackson’s side were condemned to the drop. They failed to get the result they needed against Newcastle.

It was a positive end to the season for the Magpies, lifting them up to 11th in the league. The victory helped keep Leeds up, and ironically means Raphinha is now ‘unlikely’ to join the Brazilian revolution at St James’ Park.