Earlier, according to TNT Sport reporter Brunoformiga, Bayern were close to signing Leeds United's Brazilian winger Rafinha for 50 million euros in the winter window. In addition, the reporter also revealed that if the deal is successful, Rafinha's youth club Awai will receive a 3% transfer fee of 1.5 million euros.
To be honest, the deal surprised many fans, not because of Rafinha's decision to join Bayern, but because of the timing. Leeds United have been known for their poor record this season. So far, after 18 rounds of fighting, Leeds United have only won 3 games, drawn 7 and lost 8 games, and are 16th in 16th place. Just 5 points more than the relegation zone.
You know, Leeds United is currently seriously injured, Bamford, Phillips and other core players have been injured for a long time, and Rafinha is leeds United's current number one attacker, scoring 8 goals and assisting 1 time in 16 league rounds. Letting go of the absolute "thigh" of such a front, does Leeds United "not want to pass"? Moreover, only 50 million sold the star of the house, and the price is also low!
As you can imagine, it's a sign that a lot of turmoil is already brewing within Leeds United and that Bielsa's dismissal may have entered the countdown. After Rafinha leaves the team, Leeds United will also have a "blood change" of no small amount.
In addition, if Rafinha joins Bayern in the winter window, it means that their negotiations with Koeman to renew their contract have collapsed. And Koeman will most likely be pushed into the transfer market by Bayern in the winter window, so that Manchester United's opportunity comes.
With Martial clearly hoping to leave the team in the winter window, Lonnick also excluded him from the team's plans. And once Martial leaves, United will definitely have to find a replacement, and it is impossible to rely on Rashford alone to hold on to the left side, while Sancho is mainly on the right side. United's interest in Koeman has a long history, and it has frequently passed on gossip with the French winger before bringing in Sancho. Not long ago, the media once again exposed the rumors that Manchester United is interested in Koeman, and the empty wind may not be without reason.
So if Anthony Martial leaves and Rafinha goes to Bayern, there will be a positive turnaround in United's quest for Koeman, and a chain reaction will come in the winter window. Compared to Martial, Koeman is faster and sharper to break through, and is a good player in positional warfare. And he has a "big heart" in key moments, which is definitely a positive addition for Manchester United, and he even has the possibility of replacing Rashford in the starting lineup.
With Koeman's contract expiring in the summer of 2023 and worth €55 million, United are expected to impress Bayern with an offer close to its value. For Bayern, it is equivalent to exchanging Koman for the same young and outstanding Rafinha, with high attendance and lower salary, and this deal is in line with the construction philosophy of the Bayern top management. In short, if this series of transactions can be reached, it is possible to achieve a win-win situation for all parties.