Journalist Conor McGilligan has claimed that Leeds United won’t look to replace Raphinha with another winger.
During the current international break, the main news of concern for Leeds fans is the story in Spanish media that is currently linking the Brazilian with a summer move to Barcelona.
If the key player – who has nine goals and three assists for the Premier League club this season – does end up in the departure lounge, the club will no doubt be looking to find a replacement in the transfer market.
However, while speaking on the One Leeds Fan YouTube channel, McGilligan stated that a more central attacking midfielder – like Brenden Aaronson – would be the sort of player Leeds target.
He explained (02:31): “So Raphinha, really, even if we were looking at a replacement for him, I don’t think Leeds go for a winger.
“I think you look at someone who’s going to fit in that attacking midfield role and you look at someone like a Brenden Aaronson, who’s played under Jessie Marsch, played with him at RB Salzburg.
“And someone who would fit into our system, this pressing system, this aggressive pressing system, who are narrow and compact.”
TIF thoughts on Leeds and replacing Raphinha…
In the league this season, for all but one game where he played more as a central striker, Raphinha has operated out on the wing, and has only played that role for Jesse Marsch so far (via Transfermarket).
With that in mind, it is interesting to hear McGilligan claim that a central attacking player would be lined up should he depart. However, it should come as no surprise that he namechecks Aaronson.
Will Raphinha leave Leeds in the summer?
Yes
No
Indeed, even before Marsch arrived, when Marcelo Bielsa was still in charge during the January transfer window, the American seemed close to a move, but the deal just didn’t get across the line.
Considering that past interest, though, and his prior relationship with Marsch at RB Salzburg, it’s easy to see why Leeds could go for Aaronson – though it remains to be seen as to whether or not he would be viewed as a direct Raphinha replacement.
In other news: ‘I had to get rid of the tweet’ – Journalist admits U-turn after Jesse Marsch decision at Leeds