Liverpool handed major blow in hunt for potential Mane replacement

Leeds United star Raphinha chooses against Liverpool transfer for Barcelona dream

According to Sport (h/t The Express), Liverpool have been handed a major blow as Raphinha has decided against a move to Anfield in the summer transfer window.

The Brazilian was one of the Premier League’s best wingers last season and was largely responsible for keeping Leeds United in the top flight. This has seen several of Europe’s top sides sit up and take notice of the 25-year-old.

Raphinha is keen to move to Spain and become an integral part of Xavi Hernandez’s rebuild at Barcelona. He is expected to leave Elland Road in the summer and it is fair to say that there is no shortage of interested parties.

The Reds are set to lose Sadio Mane this summer. The Senegalese international is keen on a new challenge and will leave Anfield after six successful years at the club. It will leave a void in the Reds’ frontline that needs to be addressed.

To call Raphinha a direct replacement for Mane would be incorrect. The former plays on the right flank while the latter occupies the other wing. But with the Brazilian’s heart set on a move to Spain, Liverpool will have to look elsewhere.

The Reds already have a left-winger in Luis Diaz who can take on the mantle from Mane. However, not replacing the Senegalese will be a shattering blow to the Reds’ depth. With us set to once again fight on all fronts, to go into the campaign understaffed could be suicidal.

Raphinha is a dynamic player and would have been a good addition to our attack. Unfortunately, it would appear that the Reds have to now look elsewhere.

It will be a pivotal summer for Liverpool as they look to battle Manchester City once again for English and European dominance. It is imperative that we bring in the right players to aid us in that quest. With Raphinha apparently off the table, we will just have to look elsewhere.

More Liverpool News

• Transfer News: Takumi Minamino could move to Leeds United as Liverpool pursue Raphinha
• Transfer News: Liverpool interested in Manchester United target Darwin Nunez but ‘not at any cost’
• Liverpool told Chelsea are leading the race to sign Barcelona contract rebel Ousmane Dembele

Harvey Elliott could have been touted as an option last summer but this season saw Klopp playing the youngster in central midfield. Fans would, nevertheless, want an established name to replace a player of Mane’s stature- were he to leave Anfield.