Liverpool

Liverpool: Journalist claims Takumi Minamino could be used as bait for transfer target

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Image for Liverpool: Journalist claims Takumi Minamino could be used as bait for transfer target

Journalist Dean Jones has claimed that Takumi Minamino could be offered in a part-exchange deal for Leeds United winger Raphinha.

Minamino found himself seriously out of favour this past season for Liverpool, as he featured just 11 times in the Premier League, with just one of those games coming from the start, due to the immense depth that Jurgen Klopp has in the attacking areas.

Raphinha has been heavily linked with a move away from Elland Road in the summer transfer window, with Barcelona showing interest in him. However, Liverpool are also keen and are potentially losing Sadio Mane in the upcoming transfer window.

With several clubs showing interest in Raphinha, Jones has claimed to GiveMeSport that Liverpool might have an edge over their rivals as they can offer a player in exchange Leeds could want, with Minamino linked to an Elland Road switch.

Speaking on the possibility of a swap deal, he said: “That is one thing to consider. If they are serious about Raphinha, then they’ve got that little trick up their sleeve that they can suddenly offer a player that would really help Leeds out.

“And it will help them fulfil the player’s ambition to make that switch that he’s looking for. So, it wouldn’t surprise me if something like that ends up being put to them.”

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TIF Thoughts on Jones’ comments…

There have been reports that Leeds have set the price tag at €65m (£55.2m) for their star winger, and this price might have scared a lot of clubs off, but if Liverpool can reduce that price and offer Minamino – who Marsch has worked with previously – it could be a deal that the Whites may be open to accepting.

Raphinha has been the standout man for Leeds this season, as he was the club’s top scorer in the league with 11 goals, so if he was a player in a Liverpool side on the same wing as Trent Alexander-Arnold – who ended up being the second-top assister in the Premier League – the Brazilian could take his game to the next level.

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