Speculation that emerged in the past 24 hours linking Raphinha with Liverpool has been treated with rightful scorn by Leeds United supporters.
Raphinha has been a revelation for the club since his arrival from Rennes last summer and links to the dethroned Premier League champions are no surprise given the impact he has made, but the spurious rumours around his possible departure will do little to affect how Leeds United feel about the situation regarding his future.
Leeds United have no intention of selling the player this summer, are under no financial pressure to do so and the 24-year-old has already made it clear he is happy at Elland Road. Add to that the fact the price quoted of £32m would be laughed away more than when John W Henry scoffed at Arsenal's audacious £40m + £1 bid for Luis Suarez in 2013.
From a Liverpool perspective, renewed links to the player have engendered positivity from their supporters about the possibility of him having a Diogo Jota-esque impact if he did make the move to Anfield while one believes it would be the most exciting player since Philippe Coutinho.
Here's how Liverpool fans have been responding on social media to suggestions they could move for the Brazilian.
@SeanDOlfc: Raphinha's the most exciting player we'd have had since Coutinho
@SamuelLFC: I’d take Raphinha in from Leeds as a backup in a heartbeat. Quality player.
@essinem7: Daka and Raphinha to replace Origi and Shaq? I’m all in... #LFC
@TheKop_com: £32m for Raphinha would be a steal. A serious baller
@Klopptinho: Raphinha £32 million bid? What a signing that would be. Klopp loves signing 24 year old wingers in the £30 million region... (He usually makes them world class then as well)
@Ed_Thornley96: Raphinha does get me excited if that were to happen. I'd imagine you'd see a lot more game time of Salah at striker.
@Kloppista_LFC: I only see us signing Raphinha if Salah is leaving. We won't spend over £32M on him to be a backup RW when we're readying that position for Harvey Elliot. We're definitely leaving a pathway open for him so I don't expect us to sign any left-footed right wingers.
@SayamG8: I can see why Liverpool would be interested in Raphinha. He suits our game a lot. Now his playing style at Leeds is quite beneficial for Liverpool. He attempts those crosses from midway which is one of the key attacking strategies for us and has better execution of it than Salah.
@LFCHadouken: Raphinha at Liverpool next season. Pay whatever. Won't be a starter but look at how Jota proved us wrong. Having proper back-up for Salah is so so needed, he's the heir to the RW position.
@AnfieldOpinion6: I’d happily take Raphinha at Liverpool for £32m, that’s a bargain.
