Forget Trincao and Mingueza, Leeds should request Barca midfielder in Raphinha swap – Our View

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Barcelona are looking to sign Raphinha from Leeds this summer and a couple of reports have suggested that the Nou Camp side may look to reduce his asking price by including a player in a potential swap deal.

Leeds rate Raphinha well north of £50m, but Barcelona are unable to pay such a fee for the Brazilian. Sport say Oscar Mingueza has been offered to Leeds. Mundo Deportivo say Wolves loanee Trincao could be included.

Leeds hardly need a centre-back. Jesse Marsch’s squad needs strengthening, but they are well-stocked at centre-back with Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch, Charlie Cresswell and Leo Hjelde.

• READ MORE: Sheffield United’s XI if they kept their top stars

So, the need for Mingueza is slight. Trincao would be a good addition, but the 22-year-old only opened his Premier League account for Wolves against Leeds. He has not proven his £25million (Athletic) permanent clause.

Neither Trincao or Mingueza improve Leeds, or are needed. The areas Leeds do require improvements is in midfield and up front mainly. A midfielder has been desperately needed for quite some time.

Why Leeds should request Puig in Barcelona deal for Raphinha…

Back in 2020, Leeds were being linked with a move for 22-year-old midfielder Riqui Puig. 90Min reported that Marcelo Bielsa could have signed the Barcelona midfielder on loan – who remains a fringe player.

This season, he has only played 14 times for Barca’s senior side and is about to enter the final 12 months of his Nou Camp deal. His ball-playing ability, combined with his defensive and attacking attributes, makes him ideal.

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Leeds do have midfield options. Adam Forshaw, Kalvin Phillips, Stuart Dallas, Matuesz Klich and more. But three of those four are in their thirties and Phillips himself is being linked with the exit door at Elland Road.

If Leeds can strike a deal with Barcelona to sign the La Masia product and receive a sizable cash figure for Raphinha, then it makes sense. Leeds need Puig more than Mingueza and Trincao, and Puig probably needs a move.