---
title: "Journalist says Leeds are ‘keen to keep’ Liverpool target Raphinha"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/leeds-keen-to-keep-liverpool-target-raphinha-longari-transfer-rumours/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-02-18T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-18T07:00:00Z"
---

# Journalist says Leeds are ‘keen to keep’ Liverpool target Raphinha

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/02/17/liverpool-signing-calum-scanlon-praised-exceptional-james-atkins/) could face a battle to sign Leeds United’s Brazilian winger [Raphinha](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/02/10/jurgen-klopp-sees-raphinha-as-ideal-replacement-for-liverpool-pair/) as the Yorkshire club reportedly remain ‘keen’ on retaining their ace, according to Italian journalist [Gianluigi Longari](https://twitter.com/Glongari).

After initially declaring the interest from the Reds, Longari has delivered a fresh update stating that Manchester United are also fond of the 24-year-old, whilst Leeds are determined not to sell.

> Twitter: Manchester United #MUFC joined the race for Leeds star #Raphinha. Liverpool #LFC are also following the winger for… https://t.co/q9qic2XJCv (@Glongari)

Raphinha has been a revelation since joining Leeds from Ligue 1 side Rennes in October for £17m ([BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54415316)), his [four Premier League goals and five assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/raphinha/leistungsdaten/spieler/411295) drawing the [attention of other clubs](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/barcelona-liverpool-arsenal-raphinha-transfer-leeds).

As Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his attacking options in the summer, the left-footed Brazilian could be the ideal candidate. With a higher successful [dribbling percentage (56%)](https://www.sofascore.com/player/raphinha/831005) than potential positional rival [Sadio Mane (47%)](https://www.sofascore.com/player/sadio-mane/217704), Raphinha might have no issues holding his own among the Liverpool squad.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Earlier this season there were early signs of the evolution of the [richly- acclaimed](https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/comparing-liverpools-front-three-with-the-best-attacks-in-europe-in-2019-20/) front three when [Diogo Jota was shooting the lights out in his early days](https://talksport.com/football/782427/liverpool-news-diogo-jota-jurgen-klopp-west-ham-goal/) on Merseyside. However, his [injury layoff](https://talksport.com/football/816848/diogo-jota-injury-liverpool-decline-let-manchester-united-man-city-premier-league-title-race/) has seen Klopp revert back to an [almost unwavering loyalty](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-liverpool/ausfallzeiten/verein/31) to his tried-and-tested trio.

With injuries prevalent [this season more than ever](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php) and Divock Origi seemingly [no longer of a level required](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/divock-origi-liverpool-january-exit-unlikely) to Klopp, this summer Liverpool will almost certainly look towards adding another forward to their ranks.

Raphinha has taken to [life in the Premier League with ease](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/steal-of-the-season-leeds-raphinha-links-liverpool/1mdr2fy5zh3791t16a4ki3r03h) and could provide [a new dynamic](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/300447/Show/Raphinha) to the Reds.