Latest developments
- Barcelona winger Raphinha is a transfer target for Liverpool.
- The Reds add the Brazilian to their list of Mohamed Salah replacements.
- Raphinha is out of contract in the summer.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (2/5): Little source info on the story
Liverpool have held initial talks with Barcelona over the possibility of signing Brazilian winger Raphinha, as they continue to look at potential replacements for Mohamed Salah.
This story broke on teamtalk.com, a major source of transfer rumours, but as usual, they are keeping their sources close to their chest.
Value (5/5): Reds can get green light in January
With the 28-year-old out of contract in the summer, Liverpool could agree a pre-contract agreement with Raphinha in January and sign the player valued at £49.8 million for nothing.
Averaging better than a goal involvement per game in all competitions, Raphinha is arguably in the form of his life and would represent a real coup for the Reds.
Suitability (2.5/5): Prefers the left side
Raphinha can play on either wing and through the middle in an attacking midfield role, making him an ideal candidate for Arne Slot's 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations at Anfield.
The one hiccup is that Raphinha is predominately a left-sided player, and it would be a real risk to replace a club legend in Salah with someone who isn't naturally a right-winger.
Upgrade? (3/5): Few can rival Reds' left
On current form, Raphinha is one of the only players in the world who can be considered a stronger left-winger than Liverpool's pair of Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo.
If Salah does leave, then he would clearly be better than nothing on the right side, but Liverpool fans will feel short-changed if he is going to be the Egyptian's replacement.
Logic (2/5): Not an ideal move for anyone
Former Leeds player Raphinha might enjoy a challenge at the top end of the Premier League table this time, but he is unlikely to want to play out of position, even if his long-term future is settled.
Barcelona will be losing a key man for nothing, which won't help on the pitch even if it lowers the wage bill, and Liverpool will surely be better served going after proper right-wingers, or getting a new deal done with Salah.
Whisper+ verdict: 14.5/25
Not really the move Liverpool need right now, even if the free transfer is very enticing.
