Liverpool have a chance to sign Raphinha for just £21m, according to reports. It would be a bargain transfer.
This comes from Sport. They’re covering Barcelona’s interest in Leeds United’s Raphinha – a supposed transfer target for Liverpool. They claim there is no release clause in his contract right now, as has been reported elsewhere.
However, they do believe that a clause appears in the contract if Leeds are relegated. Raphinha can leave for just £21m in that instance – a potential bargain, considering £60m+ is mentioned elsewhere.
UOL in Brazil believe Liverpool really want the player. Sport’s report, though, indicates that the Brazilian has his head set on Barcelona – if they can afford him.
Liverpool want Raphinha
Raphinha is a fantastic player. Paul Merson labelled him ‘unbelievable’ on Sky Sports recently and he’s set those kinds of standards over the last two years. Liverpool, too, potentially need a right-winger to replace Mohamed Salah over the next couple of years.
Raphinha is one of the few players who could even partially fill those boots and getting him for £21m would be ridiculously good business. It’s just up for debate how likely it is – for a couple of reasons.
For one, Leeds need to go down first. We’re not sure they will, though, with both Norwich City and Watford looking pretty certain right now. Then there’s freefalling Everton – Leeds should have just about enough to stay up.
The other side of this is Barcelona. The one major advantage Liverpool have in the race is financial – the Catalonians lack strength there. But for £21m, the playing field levels a bit.
They can almost certainly guarantee Raphinha a stronger role than Liverpool, too, who have so many forwards right now. Salah must leave for a deal to make any sense, really.
But if Leeds do go down, then Liverpool should just try to sign Raphinha. £21m would be such a steal and one no one can really pass up.
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