Leeds United have had some excellent players over the years, but perhaps none come close to the impact Raphinha had at the club.
In 67 appearances for the Whites, he scored 17 times and assisted 12, helping them to stay in the Premier League in his final game for the club.
raphinha-premier-league-orta-transfer-cuisance
Since moving to Barcelona in 2022, the Brazilian has become one of the best players in the world.
As for Leeds, they’ve never really managed to replace Raphinha, still searching for an attacker who can have that sort of impact on the club.
With a matter of hours before the transfer window shuts, the hunt is on to add to the attacking quality in Daniel Farke’s squad.
The latest Leeds transfer news
There is one player who is constantly linked with a move to Elland Road in the last days of the transfer window. The Whites are targeting Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, who seems set to leave Molineux.
Strand Larsen
Indeed, Farke’s side are firmly in the race to sign the attacker this winter. The Norwegian striker was close to a move to Crystal Palace, but that appears to have fallen through. The door is once again open for the Whites to make a move.
He is not the only attacker Farke wants to add to his squad, however. There is a chance that former winger Jaidon Anthony could make a return to Elland Road after a previous loan spell in the 2023/24 campaign.
Jaidon-Anthony
It would be a bold move to bring him in from a fellow relegation rival, Burnley. The Clarets would not ask for too much of a fee, either. The winger could cost £25m, though it would be tough for a deal to go through this month.
However, there is another attacker whom the Whites could make a shock move for.
Leeds could sign biggest talent since Raphinha
It has come somewhat out of the blue, but Leeds have been offered the chance to sign Al-Nassr striker Jhon Duran, who is on loan at Fenerbahce.
TEAMtalk report that the Colombian star has been ‘offered’ to the club during talks with intermediaries, alongside Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
jhon-duran-fenerbahce
The 22-year-old made quite the impression during his first stint in English football for Aston Villa. He played 78 games for the Midlands club, scoring 20 times. His minutes per goal record was excellent, a tally which stood at 113.75.
He was known for a spectacular goal, too. The striker, who often played second fiddle to Ollie Watkins at Villa Park, has excellent ball-striking ability, as this wonderful effort against Everton from 35 yards or so proved.
Duran departed the club last winter for Saudi Arabia, but his underlying stats from last season in the Premier League show how good he is.
For example, the striker averaged 1.01 goals and 7.04 touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 0% and 10% of strikers.
Duran key stats in 24/25 PL
Stat (per 90)
Goals
Expected goals
Shots on target
Expected goals on target
Touches in opposition box
Stats from Fotmob
Duran certainly has the potential to be Leeds’ best talent since Raphinha left the club. The Brazilian has certainly risen to the top, forming a deadly attacking duo with Lamine Yamal and finishing fifth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
The Al-Nassr star could certainly hit these heights. Villa’s director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, claimed Unai Emery thinks Duran “can become one of the best strikers in the world.”
That sort of talent has not been spotted at Elland Road since the days of their former winger.
Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran
Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran
If they were able to sign Duran, it would be one of the best coups in recent years for Leeds. He is certainly a sensational talent, and it is hard to argue that they have not had a better player at the club since Raphinha left.
If he can have anything close to that sort of impact, Duran will be a huge success at Elland Road.
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