Liverpool want Raphinha and may now be willing to send Takumi Minamino to Leeds United in a deal for the winger this summer.
Liverpool are being linked with every winger under the sun right now because of Sadio Mane’s seemingly imminent exit.
Mane wants to leave this summer and given that his contract ends in 2023, Liverpool may be better off selling now before he leaves for nothing.
Liverpool may have signed Luis Diaz in January but would still need another wide man this summer with many names linked.
Liverpool want Raphinha
This time it’s the turn of Raphinha, who has been linked with Liverpool on a number of occasions in the past.
The Mirror claim that Liverpool are ramping up their interest in signing Raphinha this summer.
It’s suggested that Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of Raphinha and now wants to lure him to Anfield.
A fee of £60million is mentioned but Liverpool may hatch a plan to bring that price tag down.
The report claims that Leeds want to sign Liverpool attacker Takumi Minamino and Liverpool are willing to send him to Anfield in a deal for Raphinha.
Minamino needs first-team football and Leeds boss Jesse Marsch coached him at Red Bull Salzburg, so a reunion could make sense.
Yet does a move to Liverpool makes sense for Raphinha?
Yes, the Brazilian is a quality winger and he is full of pace, running, energy and nonchalant skills; all attributes that Jurgen Klopp will love.
Raphinha is best deployed as a right-sided winger cutting in on his left foot though, which is why some had touted him to replace Mohamed Salah.
If Raphinha heads to Liverpool to replace Mane, he would have to play on the left or through the middle – roles that we haven’t seen him play very often if at all with Leeds.
Liverpool are right to appreciate Raphinha but as far as a Mane replacement goes, we think there may be other players better suited to the role.
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