Leeds United forward Raphinha “would cost a lot of money” if Liverpool want to sign him this summer, according to The Athletic‘s Phil Hay.
The Reds have been linked with a move to Anfield in recent days, with talent spotters at the club “blown away” by his quality this season.
Raphinha has scored and assisted four times apiece in the Premier League this season, playing a key role in Leeds sitting 11th in the table.
Speaking in a Q&A on Monday, Hay gave his thoughts on the 24-year-old’s future, admitting that Liverpool won’t be able to sign him on the cheap:
Everyone will be watching Raphinha. You can’t make this sort of impact and not have people on your case. But he’s on a longer contract and he would cost a lot of money.
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Raphinha is an extremely talented player, so Liverpool’s reported interest in him is exciting.
There are signs that Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino aren’t quite the devastating force they once were, as outlined by another disappointing showing on Sunday, as the Reds lost 4-1 at home to Manchester City.
Raphinha has made 1.6 key passes per game in the league this season, which is superior to Salah (1.5) and Firmino (1.0), suggesting he could carry a greater creative threat.
It would be wrong to say that he is at someone like Salah’s level currently, but he could be a long-term replacement, possessing that same ability to cut onto his left foot from the right-hand side and wreak havoc.
