Liverpool now need £42.8m to sign "proper talent", he could be Klopp's next Jota - opinion

Liverpool have been heavily linked with Raphinha for a while, and a new update has now emerged on Leeds United‘s latest stance on the prospective sale of the player this summer.

According to Spanish news outlet Sport, the Whites would now be willing to accept a transfer fee of €50m (£42.8m) for the Brazilian winger, and that could be revised down even further.

As per the report, Raphinha has made clear his desire to leave his current club, with Barcelona being his first choice option for this summer, although both Liverpool and Arsenal have also approached with interest.

Liverpool don’t always sign their star players from within the Premier League, but when they have done during Jurgen Klopp’s tenure they have struck gold, with Sadio Mane, Virgil Van Dijk and Diogo Jota all having a massive impact at Anfield after leaving their former English top-flight clubs.

Jota in particular has had a fantastic impact competing for a place in Liverpool’s formidable front three since joining from Wolves in 2020 for a similar fee (£41m) as Raphinha’s reported asking price.

The Portuguese maestro has scored 34 goals and delivered nine assists in 85 appearances for Liverpool, with a goal contribution every 124 minutes for the Reds, proving that he has been a worthwhile signing.

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Raphinha could now follow in the footsteps of Jota by joining the Merseyside giants to compete for a place in their team and potentially becoming a key component in the club’s pursuit for more trophies.

Following Sadio Mane’s imminent departure, Divock Origi’s contract expiry and the expected sale of Takumi Minamino this summer, there will definitely be an opportunity