Liverpool have reportedly submitted a bid for Leeds United winger Raphinha and the Brazilian could be Jurgen Klopp’s next Mohamed Salah should he make the move to Anfield this summer.
What’s the word?
According to reports from Spain (via Paisley Gates), the Reds, along with Chelsea and Barcelona, have made an official offer for the former Stade Rennais man, who has caught the eye since joining Leeds United in 2020.
Do Liverpool need Raphinha?
Yes
No
While Liverpool are said to have made a bid for the winger, believed to be willing to pay his £60m asking price. However, he is said to favour a move to the Nou Camp, although Barcelona are yet to meet Leeds’ asking price.
Klopp has already added Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho to his attacking ranks at Anfield this summer but he may feel another winger is required following Sadio Mane’s move to Bayern Munich, and Raphinha could be the perfect deputy for Salah on the right-wing.
Liverpool’s next Salah
Salah may have dispelled any exit rumours by committing his future to Liverpool earlier this week, signing a deal that will keep him at Anfield until 2025, but the reality is that he is 30 years old and will eventually need to be replaced.
While Liverpool have a number of talented young wingers on their books, including the likes of Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott, Raphinha is Premier League proven, 25 years old and plays in a very similar way to Salah, as he likes to cut in on his left foot from the right.
Last season saw the Leeds talisman contribute 11 goals and three assists in 35 top-flight appearances, finishing as the top scorer in Jesse Marsch’s side as the Yorkshire side scraped Premier League survival on the final day.
His performances for Leeds have seen him establish himself as a regular in the Brazil side, which led international teammate Emerson Royal to dub him a “phenomenon” last season, and he could arguably reach an even higher level should he move to Anfield.
Therefore, FSG should do all they can to sign Raphinha this summer, as he could be the ideal man to take over from Salah when he eventually leaves Liverpool.
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