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Deco to reject Liverpool even though Leeds United ready to accept Raphinha player-plus-cash bid
Leeds United are happy to have Takumi Minamino offered to them by Liverpool in a player-plus-cash deal for Raphinha, according to Sport.
The Spanish newspaper reported via their print edition on 7 June (page eight) that Liverpool have the “financial muscle” to blow Barcelona out of the water to sign the 25-year-old Leeds winger and an agreement is on the cards between the two Premier League clubs.
However, it is understood that Raphinha wants to join Barca this summer and, as a result, he and his agent Deco look set to reject a tasty contract offer from Liverpool.
Raph out, Minamino in?
If Leeds manage to agree a player-plus-cash deal with Liverpool then it’ll mean the club will receive a healthy wad of cash for Raphinha as well as a versatile attacker who can either serve as a replacement or to add some seriously-needed depth.
However, Leeds should only agree to a part-exchange transfer if they do really want Minamino.
We’ve seen the Japan international linked with the Whites previously so Victor Orta may well hold an interest in him.
But what matters most is if Jesse Marsch wants him.
Marsch did manage Minamino during his time as the manager at Red Bull Salzburg before Minamino left the Austrian giants for Liverpool in 2020.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo on 26 May, 2020, Marsch said: “He is not a purely explosive player like Sadio Mane or Mo Salah – he has physical qualities, but he is a really intelligent footballer. It may take time for everyone to fully appreciate his qualities, but it will come.
“We’ve seen it here – his ability to understand tactical systems, his ability to find attacking moments, be good around the goal, it’s all good.
“It may take a little bit of time but eventually it will come together for him.”
Marsch’s prediction about Minamino’s time at Anfield has ultimately been wrong with the Japanese ace failing to hold down a proper spot in Jurgen Klopp’s plans.
He’s been loaned out to Southampton and left on the fringes of the senior side so a move away from Liverpool makes a lot of sense for him.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are ready to hijack an £8.5million transfer to sign a new forward from South America.