Leeds United supporters may need to accept that this could be Raphinha's last season at Elland Road, according to journalist Joe Donnohue.

The Lowdown: Raphinha Leeds' best player

Raphinha has been a wonderful signing for the Whites since joining from Rennes last year, scoring 10 goals in 40 appearances, as well as registering nine assists.

On current form, the Brazilian is arguably Leeds' best and most important player, finding the net in Sunday's 2-1 win away to Norwich City and being described as 'incredible' by journalist Phil Hay last month.

Raphinha's performances have led to reports linking him with a move away from the Whites, with Liverpool one of the clubs thought to be interested in signing him.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375277"]

The Latest: Journalist makes worrying claim

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Donnohue claimed this is likely to be the 24-year-old's last season at Leeds before heading on to pastures new:

"I think some people might be resigning themselves to the fact that it might be Raphinha's last season.

"But, ultimately, he's still a Leeds United player. There's not been any real concrete soundings from him to say that he's unsettled or anything like that."

[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-23/" title="Latest Leeds United news!" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]

The Verdict: Inevitable exit?

In truth, Raphinha's head is likely to be turned by interest from a club in elite European competition next summer, even if he would ideally stay put at Elland for many years to come.

Given the quality of his performances for club and country - he has scored twice in his first three caps for Brazil - he may well want to test himself alongside superior players and in a team challenging for major trophies.

If this is to be Raphinha's final six months or so at Leeds, the hope is that he steers them well away from the relegation zone and end his Whites career on a high, banking Victor Orta and co a big profit in the process which can be reinvested into the squad.

In other news, a pundit believes one Leeds player is struggling currently. Find out who it is here.