The Yorkshire Evening Post's Graham Smyth has delivered a significant update on Raphinha's future at Leeds United.

What's the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that the Brazilian could be set for an exit from Elland Road this summer, with La Liga giants Barcelona said to be interested in securing his services for next season.

Now, during a Q&A with fans, Smyth revealed: "We’re told there is no buy-out clause. What we don’t know is if there’s a relegation clause that would allow a club to pick him up on the cheap. Of course he’ll go if Leeds go down, but with that situation looking unlikely they should be able to set the price this summer. It should be a significant sum, enough to reinvest properly in the squad."

Good news for Leeds

While the notion of Raphinha leaving Leeds in the summer is hardly the kind of news that will spark wild celebrations at Elland Road, the money the Whites could get for him would be pretty significant.

Smyth's information that the winger does not have a buy-out clause in his contract strengthens Leeds' hand considerably when it comes to the negotiating table, able to dictate the terms they want - you only have to look at someone like Erling Haaland and the kind of lower fee Borussia Dortmund face selling him for due to his release clause.

And, with Leeds picking up a couple of huge results in the past couple of weeks, not least the 3-2 comeback win over Wolves last Friday night, their position of strength has gone up a notch given they are now likely to remain in the Premier League as well.

Relegation would almost certainly have wiped any chances of them keeping hold of Raphinha, while it would also have ramped up the pressure to sell him on the cheap.

Instead, they hold all the chips at the moment, and it's news that will surely have Leeds supporters buzzing.

AND in other news: Phil Hay drops exciting Leeds United transfer update that'll delight supporters