'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQb/2gAIAQEAAAAAJnP/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAECEAAAAH//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAFf/xAAjEAABAwIFBQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAwQFAAEREyEjggcSFRYi/9oACAEBAAE/AJSfl5h51FZyD3PR9hAEBMNG990MQ4CI15p6htXUArh892Snrhxr/8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAAxH/2gAIAQIBAT8AqQMTs//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDAQE/AJP/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Liverpool are looking to steal a march on Spanish giants Barcelona in the race for Leeds United forward Raphinha.
According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, Jurgen Klopp's side are preparing an offer for the Brazil international who they believe can replace Bayern-bound Sadio Mane.
Mane has completed his medical ahead of his move to Bayern, as per Goal.
The report goes on to say that Jurgen Klopp is convinced that Raphinha could be an ideal replacement for the Senegalese international at Anfield.
The report claims that Barcelona must act soon if they have to sign the Leeds United attacker.
Trending
El Nacional claims that Barcelona have an agreement in place with Raphinha since February.
It is suggested that the 25-year-old was identified as Ousmane Dembele's replacement, whose contract expires at the end of June.
However, as per the aforementioned report, Joan Laporta's side are still in a complex financial situation.
El Nacional has also claimed that Dembele could also sign a new deal to stay at Camp Nou which could mean the club giving up on Raphinha.
The Spanish outlet has reported that Robert Lewandowski, Bernardo Silva, Jules Koundé and Marcos Alonso are all ahead of Raphinha in the Barca wishlist.
The situation at Camp Nou could hand a huge advantage to Liverpool in their pursuit of the former Rennes attacker.
Raphinha has been a player very much in demand in recent months, having greatly impressed at Leeds United since his move to the club from Rennes back in 2020.
The left-footed right winger has been one of the key players for the Whites under both Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch.
In 67 appearances for Leeds, he has contributed 17 goals and 12 assists.
His form for the Whites has also seen him earn a place in Tite's Brazilian national team. He has been capped nine times for the Selecao and has netted three goals for them.
The Barcelona target could become the long-term replacement of Liverpool star
Raphinha could be the ideal long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool.
The Egyptian international declared that he will stay with the Reds next season but his future remains up in the air.
With just a year remaining on his deal, Salah could be on his way out next summer on a free transfer.
Raphinha has a similar skillset to Salah, with both of them being left-footed right-sided attackers.
The Brazilian could, therefore, become Salah's long-term replacement rather than Sadio Mane's successor because of the similarity in playing styles. Liverpool have also recently brought in Darwin Nunez to the club who is being touted as a direct replacement for Mane.
