By David Woods

30th Mar, 2021 | 11:09am

View: Next Raphinha – Orkun Kokcu is perfect Leeds summer signing

It’s a brave man that hails a player as the “next Raphinha” but there are two reasons why Orkun Kokcu could be just that for Leeds United.

Leeds need new bodies in midfield. Mateusz Klich has been played into the ground over the past two seasons.

He’s 30-years-old and Leeds need a next-generation player to come in and take his place.

Feyenoord’s Kokcu is 20 and is ready to take a big step up into the Premier League.

The exciting player has been linked previously with moves to Arsenal and Chelsea and was then rated at £23m.

However, the world has changed since then and La Razon has reported that Leeds are in the hunt for the midfielder who is now being touted around for just £10m.

That’s a serious bargain, of the sort that was being talked about by football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who said clubs in Europe would be forced to sell players at liquidation prices. He said £20m players would be available for £8m and it seems like his prediction is coming true.

Kokcu himself said, “I have a contract until 2025 but the situation has changed. The club has been very clear about the financial situation and it is clear that it is not good.”

At £17m, Raphinha was a serious bargain. Kokcu could be the next cut-price gem to arrive at Elland Road.

Kokcu also sounds just like Raphinha on the pitch, who frequently looks aghast when he makes a misstep or his teammates let him down.

His former manager Jaap Stam said of Kokcu, “He is a player who has the personality to want to improve, he always wants to do better. He’s never happy with himself, he’s disappointed if he doesn’t score, or his passes aren’t good enough.

“When I joined Feyenoord, he hadn’t played a lot because everyone said he was too young. I put him in the first team and let him play most of the games, I trusted him and saw a lot of ability in him. Now he’s proving himself in Holland and is one of the best midfield players in the country.

“He’s certainly got the ability to make that step to the Premier League.” [Express]

Football Whispers have said that it’s Kokcu’s passing that has set him out as one of the most exciting young talents in Europe.

They said: “On the ball, it’s his supreme distribution that stands out. Kokcu’s repertoire ranges from neat and tidy passes in the centre of the park, to incisive through balls and eye-catching long-range switches of play.”

Imagine that at Leeds.

Kokcu is a full Turkey international, desperate to improve himself and with seemingly all the skills you need to succeed at Leeds.

We think he could be the best transfer Leeds do this summer.

In other Leeds United news, MOT View: Leeds U23 ace could be set for sensational debut v Sheff Utd after major news drops