Leeds United winger Raphinia has attracted interest from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, according to reports from Spanish newspaper Sport.
The Brazilian is hot property and a man in demand. It is no surprise to see a multitude of top clubs fighting for his signature. However, it has been reported that Raphinia favours a move to FC Barcelona. The feeling is mutual, as Xavi too intends on bringing Raphinia into his squad. But the financial difficulties of the Catulunyans have made it a complicated affair.
Liverpool will need a number of attacking reinforcements this term. Sadio Mane has already expressed a desire to leave, while Salah’s future is uncertain. Divock Origi has left, while the departure of Takumi Minamino is expected. The signings of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez are a big step. Even then, they will require a new right-winger. Even if Salah stays, age may soon catch up with him.
Raphinia is perfectly suited to the Liverpool system. He is an electric dribbler, completing 1.82 dribbles per 90 in the last year. He is both a goal threat and a creative threat, exemplified by his 17 goals and 9 assists with Leeds in the Premier League. These numbers can only go up in a better team.
Raphinia: Barca-bound or Anfield Awaits?
It may be difficult for Barcelona to sign Raphinia. The Spanish giants are in a tough spot financially, and Leeds will demand a hefty fee for their star. With the possible departure of Kalvin Phillips, they would not like to sell their other best player so easily.
Barcelona are still in talks to register the new signings of Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie, and Raphinia may be a tad bit out of their reach. Raphinia may find himself at Anfield, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
In fact, it may be a better choice given the opposite trajectories of the clubs in the past few years.
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