Transfers

‘Summer is a long way off’ – Athletic reporter reacts to Leeds United/Liverpool transfer links

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There is currently nothing in the speculation linking Liverpool with a move to sign Leeds United winger Raphinha in the summer transfer window.

That’s according to The Athletic’s Liverpool FC reporter James Pearce, who has been providing an update on the Merseyside club’s supposed interest in the Brazilian.

Since joining Leeds from Rennes back in the summer transfer window, Raphinha has made a big impact and impression during his time at Elland Road.

The 24-year-old has scored four goals and provided four assists in some outstanding performances across his 17 league appearances for Marcelo Bielsa’s side up until now, which has already led to plenty of discussion about his future beyond the current campaign.

It has recently been reported that Raphinha is a number one target for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in the summer transfer window, as he looks to provide some fresh competition for the likes of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane in his attack.

Now however, it appears as though those claims by be wide of the mark, for the time being at least.

Responding to a question about Liverpool’s supposed interest in Raphinha in a QandA for The Athletic, Pearce seemingly knocked back those suggestions for now, saying: “Not aware of anything in that speculation currently. 

“The summer is a long way off and transfer plans will be influenced by what happens in the coming months.”

This will obviously be something of a relief for those associated with Leeds United.

Raphinha has enjoyed an outstanding start to life at Elland Road, and looks as though he could be a big asset for years to come, meaning they are not going to want to lose him anytime soon, so these comments about that speculation do look to be a boost for now.

However, as Pearce says, there is still plenty of time for things to change between now and the summer, and when you look at the struggles Liverpool are enduring at the minute, you could argue that they will need something of a rebuild come the end of the campaign.

Given how he has performed so far this season, you could imagine Raphinha being the sort of player Liverpool need to provide the spark that helps them return to form next season.

As a result, you couldn’t blame them if they were to reconsider their stance on the Brazilian over the next few months, so this is one that may still be worth keeping an eye out for in the lead-up to next season.

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UCLan Sports Journalism graduate. Have been working for Leeds All Over since summer 2020, and can only be found writing on Football League World.