Manchester United are pushing to enhance their forward options.Manchester United are pushing to enhance their forward options.
Manchester United are pushing to enhance their forward options. | Getty Images
Manchester United have been linked with a move for a Barcelona star who played in the Premier League for Leeds United
Manchester United have been linked with a move for Barcelona winger and former Leeds United star Raphinha this week, with reports from Spain claiming the Red Devils have gone as far to submit an offer to the La Liga club.
Raphinha joined Barca from Leeds for around £55m back in the summer of 2022 after an impressive two years at Elland Road. He has hit new heights with Barcelona this season and has been tipped as one of the favourites for the Ballon d’Or. He has scored 13 goals and provided eight assists in 27 La Liga games while his tally in all competitions is an impressive 27 goals and 20 assists in 42 appearances.
Earlier this week, Fichajes reported that United had already submitted a £59m bid to Barca to sign Raphinha come the summer. Raphinha has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United in past transfer windows due to Barcelona’s continuing financial issues and the sale of the Brazilian is something the club viewed as a way to balance their books.
Romano shares what he has heard on Raphinha to Man Utd
Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has poured cold water on the claims that United have made a move to sign Raphinha. Writing in an update for Give Me Sport, Romano said: "I’ve zero indications from my sources about contacts, talks, calls, anything to link Raphinha with Man United. Zero."
Raphinha can play on both sides of a three-man attack but his preferred position is on left wing. United are in need of more options in that area of the pitch after sanctioning the loan exit of Marcus Rashford in January. The United academy graduate has enjoyed an upturn in form since signing for Aston Villa which has resulted in a return to the England squad under Thomas Tuchel.
United are not to set to hand Rashford another chance at Old Trafford, but instead have viewed his return to form as an opportunity to increase their asking price for him come the summer.
Would Raphinha improve United?
There is no doubt Raphinha would bring quality to the Red Devils ranks and give Ruben Amorim a strong attacking outlet on the left-hand side. Alejandro Garnacho has been used in the attacking left position of late but his future at Old Trafford is not guaranteed.
United were open to selling their academy product in the January transfer window - for the right price. Both Napoli and Chelsea showed an interest but were unable to meet United’s valuation for the Argentine forward. Given that he is an academy player, United could count any sale as pure profit when accounting for profit and sustainability and there is no guarantee Garnacho will remain at the club beyond the summer. Raphinha has already shown he can adapt to the Premier League with Leeds. He scored 17 goals and provided 12 assists in 65 games for Yorkshire in the English top flight.
In other news, United are considering selling another of their academy products amid a £180-per-week demand in contract talks.