Steve McManaman raved about reported Liverpool target Raphinha on BT Sport 1 (10:09pm, February 19, 2021) after watching him in action for Leeds United against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The former Liverpool star, who now works as a pundit for BT Sport, was impressed by the performance of Raphinha during Leeds’s 1-0 defeat to Wolves away from home in the Premier League on Friday evening.
McManaman said that the reported £17 million that the Whites spent to sign the 24-year-old winger from Rennes in the summer of 2020 was a bargain.
Liverpool have been linked with Raphinha, with JuveLive reporting earlier this month, as covered by HITC Sport, that the defending champions want to bring him to Anfield in the summer of 2021.
According to The Athletic, Leeds paid Rennes £17 million to sign the Brazilian winger in October 2020.
McManaman said about Raphinha on BT Sport 1 (10:09pm, February 19, 2021): “He’s been excellent all year. Today I think his set-pieces were excellent, certainly his in-swingers with his left foot.
“He’s only a young person, it’s his first year in the Premier League, you’d expect him to get better.
“If anybody is a bargain nowadays, £17 million is not a lot of money in football terms when you’re getting that kind of player.”
Raphinha was impressive for Leeds United
Leeds may have lost, but Raphinha had one of his best games for Marcelo Bielsa’s side and was a constant problem for the Wolves defence.
According to WhoScored, the winger took four shots and one was on target, played six key passes, had a pass accuracy of 71%, won one header, took 78 touches, attempted three dribbles, made three tackles, four interceptions and four clearances, and put in 13 crosses.
The Leeds star has made 16 starts and three substitute appearances in the league so far this season, scoring four goals and providing five assists in the process, according to WhoScored.
Jack Harrison future
Meanwhile, McManaman believes that it would make sense for Leeds to make Jack Harrison’s loan deal from Manchester City permanent in the summer of 2020.
The 24-year-old, who can operate as a winger or as an attacking midfielder, is in his third season on loan at Leeds.
McManaman said about Harrison on BT Sport 1 (7:48pm, February 19, 2021), as transcribed by Leeds Live: ”It’s easy for me to like him as he’s one of those players who likes to take people on and he likes to put on a show and entertain.
“He’s a scorer of great goals, isn’t he, which is always a great thing to be if you’re a winger as you’ll get headlines for doing that. The fact he throws in a few assists as well, I think he’s been absolutely excellent.”
”We know he’s been to many clubs, but he’s found his spiritual home at Leeds. He’s got an option for them to buy him and, if they do buy him, it’s a no-brainer really.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
