KEY POINTS

  • Liverpool is rumored to pursue Leeds United's Raphinha
  • Raphinha is touted to become another Diogo Jota at Anfield
  • The Brazilian striker insists he's happy with the Whites

The next Diogo Jota might not be too far away from Anfield.

Last summer, Liverpool completed a sensational transfer when the club secured a deal for Jota.

The Portuguese goalscorer shocked the entire English Premier League after quickly becoming the newest addition to Jurgen Klopp’s attacking arsenal consists of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

In his first season with the Reds, Jota already looks set to lead Liverpool in the next few years.

However, amid an underwhelming 2020-21 season, Klopp’s side is said to be on the lookout for another Jota-like signing in the next transfer window.

Rumor has it that Liverpool will try to sign another prolific goalscorer this summer, specifically an “undervalued talent.”

At the moment, the player who has ticked a lot of boxes is Leeds United’s Raphinha,” Liverpool Echo reported.

Diogo Jota finishes past Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Sportiello on his way to a hat-trick in Liverpool's 5-0 Champions League win on Tuesday
Diogo Jota moved from Wolves to Liverpool in the 2020 summer transfer window. AFP / MIGUEL MEDINA

The Brazilian striker arrived at Leeds last year and was also quick to make his mark in his new club.

In his first 26 English top-flight appearances for the Whites, Raphinha has already impressed, having bagged a total of six goals to his name.

The 24-year-old continued where he left off at Leeds’ Under-23 squad after scoring a goal in his first feature at the English Premier League Division 2.

Though Liverpool has yet to earmark Raphinha as one of their transfer targets, the highly-rated striker is already being tipped to become a sensible signing for the reigning Premier League champions.

“Yeah [I would take him]. The top four would all be looking for someone like him,” former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey recently told “Rousing The Kop” of Raphinha joining the Reds. “He’s got that ability, he’s still a young lad.”

“To come and do what he’s doing now, it’s phenomenal,” he added. “Everyone a player with pace and everyone wants a player who can be direct and who knows how to dribble.”

Should Liverpool ever consider a move for Raphinha soon, the club might have to do some extensive persuading as the man himself insisted he is content and “happy” at Leeds.

“I am really happy to be here in Leeds, being a part of this institution, it’s a real pleasure,” Raphinha told LUTV in March.

“I’m really enjoying the city, despite not being able to discover that much of it,” the striker continued. “I’ve been embraced by all the players, the coaching staff, everybody here at the club, the fans as well.”

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