‘Really interesting’: Romano says Liverpool are very much ‘exploring’ whether to sign £25m PL star right now

Fabrizio Romano has given an update on Liverpool’s pursuit of Leeds United winger Raphinha.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel (16mins 30secs), Romano said that Liverpool are currently ‘exploring the possibility’ of signing the Brazilian.

According to the transfer expert, Raphinha could be available for as little as £25m if Leeds are relegated this season.

“In case Leeds are relegated to the Championship, there will be some really interesting clauses for Raphinha,” says Romano.

“It’s around £25m, so it could be a big opportunity on the market. Liverpool are exploring this possibility.”

That sounds encouraging. The same journalist had previously claimed that Leeds were quoting Liverpool at more than £60m for Raphinha last summer.

However, The Reds aren’t the only ones interested. Romano reports that Barcelona are looking to utilise their links to the players agent, Deco, to steal a march on Liverpool.

“But his agent is Deco, former Barcelona midfielder with a fantastic relationship with Joan Laporta. He already discussed with Barcelona about Raphinha,” he said before adding another name to the mix.

“So it’s Liverpool, Barcelona and Chelsea.”

Romano claims that Chelsea were actually front-runners to sign Raphinha this summer. But the current uncertainty around the ownership of the club means that the race is open once again.

It’s possible that Liverpool’s interest in Raphinha hinges on whether Mohamed Salah decides to sign a new contract or not.

As reported by Romano again, the Egyptian is currently in limbo. Having rejected a contract offer from Liverpool in December, there have, as yet, been no further discussions.

Raphinha likes to operate in the same, right-sided attacking role as Salah does. Being some four-and-a-half years younger than Salah, the 25-year-old would feel like a natural replacement.

Liverpool fans will be hoping that Raphinha is being considered as well as, not instead of Salah. Jurgen Klopp currently doesn’t have a natural left-footed replacement for Salah if he’s missing.

The 29-year-old doesn’t miss many games of course. But as seen by Liverpool’s all right-footed three of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane last night, it can look a little lop-sided if he is forced to miss games.

With Salah capable of playing through the middle too, it would also allow for greater rotation and variation in the forward line. It looks like Raphinha is certain to leave West Yorkshire this summer, let’s see how hard The Reds push for him.

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