Leeds United forward Raphinha has declared his happiness at Leeds United even if he admits to being honoured by links with Liverpool and Manchester United.
According to Mercado Ingles, Liverpool are ready to submit a ‘first official offer’ to Leeds United for Raphinha worth €37million (£32million) after he shone in the Premier League this season.
The lightning-quick Brazilian forward scored eight goals and provided 11 assists for the Peacocks this season, helping them to a ninth-place finish in their first season back in the Premier League.
However, an interview given to UOL Sport suggests the 24-year-old is happy to stay at Elland Road: “It is difficult to define how I feel when I hear speculation about giant teams like Liverpool and Manchester United interested in signing me.
“Man, I grew up watching these teams on television. I saw Rooney, Van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo, but I also saw Gerrard, as well as others like Henry, Deco, Lampard.
“I have a contract for another four years and I don’t even think about leaving here for exactly this reason: I am happy and making others happy.”
LEEDS, ENGLAND – MAY 23: Raphinha of Leeds United challenges Dara O’Shea of West Bromwich Albion during the Premier League match between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion at Elland Road on May 23, 2021 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron – Pool/Getty Images)
Liverpool have been linked with a host of attackers that would all give Jurgen Klopp various options.
Raphinha, Patson Daka, Dusan Vlahvoic, Donyell Malen and Jadon Sancho have all been named as potential targets for the German but the former seems to have removed himself from contention.
He only moved to Elland Road last summer so it would be interesting if he left so soon after joining but it wouldn’t be that surprising even if he has re-committed himself to Leeds in an interview.
Money talks and the opportunity to play in the Champions League is something very few top players can turn down even if they are happy at their current club.
Then there is the prospect of winning silverware.
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 29: Raphinha of Leeds United scores their team’s fifth goal during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United at The Hawthorns on December 29, 2020 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Liverpool have won the Premier League and the Champions League in the last few seasons and the only season in the last three that they failed to win a trophy was the most injury-blighted campaign I can remember the Reds having.
It took Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez being ruled out for large portions of the season to count the Anfield side out and with all four expected back next season plus the arrival of Ibrahima Konate, it seems prudent to suggest that Klopp and his men will bounce back.
If Liverpool are indeed in contact with Raphinha, the chance to play alongside several world-class players and to be part of a trophy-winning, Champions League-playing squad might be too much to turn down for the Brazilian high-flyer.
