Elland Road, the home of Leeds United Football Club. (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Elland Road, the home of Leeds United Football Club. (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Elland Road, the home of Leeds United Football Club. (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Leeds United transfer news: Raphinha tipped to attract 'cheeky bids' as Whites battle West Ham for Ivan Toney

Leeds United return to the capital this evening to face West Ham United in the Premier League as Marcelo Bielsa’s men look to break their ‘London curse’.

You have to go all the way back to December 2017 since the Whites last won in London. In that time, there have been two draws and 13 defeats.

Leeds’ nightmare record in The Big Smoke has to come to end at some point and Bielsa will be hoping that occurs tonight at the London Stadium.

But while the focus is fully on the Hammers, transfer speculation continues to tick away in the background.

Over the last 24 hours, Leeds have been linked with a move for in-form Brentford striker Ivan Toney, as per TEAMTalk.

The former Newcastle United man has proved to be a revelation following his summer move from Peterborough United, netting 25 times in just 33 Championship appearances.

His record has put him top of the second-tier goal scoring charts, prompting Premier League clubs to take notice.

It is claimed Leeds, Wolves, Arsenal, Leicester City and West Ham have asked to be kept informed of the 24-year-old’s situation.

Indeed, a summer move could all depend on whether or not the Bees are promoted to the top-flight with Thomas Frank reluctant to sell.

The West London club would likely demand around £30million for the player, who was written off by Newcastle in 2018 after six different loan spells.

Meanwhile, former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has tipped Illan Meslier and Raphinha to be offered new and improved contracts by Leeds.

Phillips also believes Raphinha will be subject to “a few cheeky bids” this summer, but “fully expects” the Brazilian to enter talks over a fresh contract.

"I think Leeds would be crazy not to reward the likes of Raphinha and Meslier with new contracts,” Phillips told Football Insider.“It is the nature of the business.

“If you do well in the Premier League you get rewarded and Leeds will want to keep both players at the club. It would be a real sign of intent from Leeds. It would show that they are not a selling club.

“They will want to add to their squad and get back to the level they were at in 2001 when they got to the semi-final of the Champions League. If they want to challenge for the European spots they have to keep hold of their best players.

“It will be a test in the summer though, especially with Raphinha. If he keeps playing the way he is, I’m sure there will be a few cheeky bids. I fully expect Leeds to reward him with a new and improved contract though.”

Here are the latest headlines surrounding Leeds and their Premier League rivals: