NafisaOlivier Létang acknowledges it was a “real mistake” for Stade Rennais to sell Raphinha cheaply to Leeds United. Létang was president at the French club when they acquired the Brazil international from Sporting Lisbon in 2019.
The talented forward recorded eight goals and seven assists in his debut season at Stade Rennais but was then transferred to United for a fee believed to be around €17m. Raphinha spent two years at Elland Road before being signed by Barcelona in July 2022.
The 28-year-old has experienced the peak year of his career at the La Liga powerhouse, scoring 32 goals and providing 25 assists in 53 matches across all competitions.
The Brazil international found the net last night as Barcelona fell short of a Champions League final berth, losing 7-6 on aggregate to Inter Milan in a captivating two-legged tie.
Had the Spanish side won the Champions League, it is believed United would have been entitled to a £10m payment due to a clause in Raphinha’s £55m transfer.
Eurosport in France interviewed Lille president Létang about Raphinha before the match at the San Siro. Stade Rennais dismissed Létang from his role in February 2020, just months before United secured the player’s services.
When asked whether it was a “real mistake” to sell him cheaply to United, Létang said: “I think that based on his career, which, once again, is no surprise given his qualities and mentality, the answer is very simple. I’m convinced he would have had a fantastic second season with Stade Rennais if he had stayed.”
Létang alleged he was “pushed out” of the Ligue 1 club. “The version is very clear,” he said. “Raphinha wanted to stay at Rennes and play in the Champions League. He was pushed out.
“I remember the day he called me, in shock, saying: ‘My president, they want me to leave.’ He was very, very disappointed. But once he understood what was going on behind the scenes, he no longer wanted to play for certain people.”
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