It is the summer of 2022, and Raphinha has completed his dream move to Barcelona from Leeds United after two years at Elland Road, almost single-handedly keeping Leeds in the Premier League.
His last outing came in a 2-1 win at Brentford. Raphinha had won and scored a penalty against Brentford before Jack Harrison’s winner. He would go on to crawl the length of the Brentford pitch on his knees.
Raphinha ended his Leeds stint with stats of 29 goals and assists in 67 Leeds outings. Of course, he has since gone to Barcelona and taken his career to a new level, finishing fifth in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
Cafu and Thierry Henry believed Raphinha should have won it. Deco said Raphinha turned down bigger moves to Arsenal and Chelsea, with the Portuguese icon his agent at the time of his Leeds departure.
FC Barcelona star Raphinha celebrates against Valencia
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Leeds still owed an enormous figure by Barcelona for Raphinha
It is now more than three years since Raphinha left Elland Road. Of course, transfers these days are never paid straight away, and it is normally done over a period of time. Leeds are still paying for past deals.
But a report from Spanish outlet Cule Mania on Thursday morning shares how Barcelona still owe more than half of the €67m (£58m) fee agreed with Leeds. An initial €58m (£50m), plus €9m (£8m) in add-ons.
Cule Mania have obtained information that says €42.4m (£36.9m) is still owed to Leeds, while there are some smaller payments owed to Raphinha’s old sides, including Sporting Lisbon, Rennes and Vitoria.
Club Fee still owed
Leeds €42.4m (£36.9m)
Vitoria €242k (£210k)
Sporting Lisbon €103k (£90k)
Rennes €32k (£28k)
Deadline for Barcelona to pay what they owe Leeds for Raphinha
According to the report, Barcelona will have to stump up the £36.9m fee before the end of the current season. By that point, it will be four years since Raphinha left Leeds, yet only around £22m has been paid.
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The chances are that a large portion of the £8m in add-ons have been met, given Raphinha’s stunning form for club and country. Trophies have been won, but Raphinha still lacks a Champions League trophy.
Raphinha playing for Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Reports say that Leeds will be owed even more cash if Raphinha wins the Champions League. Barcelona will be among the favourites to do so, so it could even be that Barcelona have to pay more to Leeds.