Good Morning. It's Monday 6th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
£60m plus Takumi Minamino too good to turn down?
According to The Sun, Liverpool are prepared to pay Leeds £60m plus Takumi Minamino, in their bid to land Brazilian ace Raphinha. Jurgen Klopp is desperate to replace Sadio Mane, who is expected to formalise a move to German outfit Bayern Munich this Summer, and see Raphinha as the perfect replacement.
Jesse Marsch is understood to be a big fan of Minamino having worked with him during his time at RB Salzburg. He joined Liverpool in January 2020 for £7.5m, making 55 appearances, mostly in cup competitions. They value him around the £18m mark. Is the offer too good to turn down?
Leeds may look to hijack Everton’s move for Tarkowski
Leeds may look to hijack Everton’s move for James Tarkowski this Summer, according to The Daily Mail’s Dominic King. The highly rated centre back is out of contract at Turf Moor and as such would not require a fee. According to 'Whoscored, the 29yo was Burnley's stand out player last season with a rating of 6.97, coincidently, the same as Raphinha.
Tarkowski's statistics speak for themselves. He was credited with 216 clearances (first in the PL) and 92 blocks (2nd in the PL) last season. He was also the strongest defender in the air, having won 171 aerial duels.
Leeds shipped 79 goals during their previous campaign, and even though they tightened up during the latter stages of the season, having Tarkowski on board would surely be a no-brainer!
Raphinha may end up staying until January
Raphinha has given his biggest hint yet that he may end up staying at Elland Road beyond the World Cup in December. The 25yo has risen to fame since his £17m transfer from Rennes in October 2020, becoming a fan's favourite, both at Elland Road, and with his National team, Brazil.
Barcelona are understood to be favourites to sign him, but they don't have the finances to be able to complete the deal. Liverpool too, are understood to be carefully monitoring the situation, but have yet to talk money. It is understood that Leeds are wanting a fee of between £60m - £70m for their prized asset, and are more than willing to wait until next January. During a recent interview, Raphinha was quoted as saying...
I have a contract with Leeds and this issue is resolved by my agent, when there is something, he will tell me. Knowing that there are less than six months left for the World Cup, you have to be active in the clubs. That weighs on the decision, but I am confident in my potential. Whether it is to stay or go, I am going to give my best, find my space and try to be good for the World Cup.
Leeds ready to snap up Ecuador forward as long as he avoids prison
Leeds United may be preparing a bid for Venezuelan International Gonzalo Plata, according to media outlet 'O Jogo'. The talented 21 year old spent last season on loan with Real Valladolid, but they don't have the funds to make the £8.5m deal permanent, so he has returned to his parent club, Sporting Lisbon.
He joined the Portuguese Champions in 2019 from Venezuelan outfit Independiente del Valle. He can play either as a winger or forward, and has already gained 25 senior caps for his Country. Leeds are understood to be ready to hijack the deal, though much will depend on a drink-drive charge from last December. Plata was found to be three times over the drink drive limit, following a car accident, which injured two others.
