Raphinha has given Leeds United transfer stance amid Liverpool and Man Utd decisions

Manchester United have joined the race to sign highly rated Leeds winger Raphinha.

Current German champions Bayern Munich had recently emerged as front-runners for the Brazilian, but it’s Liverpool that are still leading the race for his signature.

The winger, who signed for Leeds from Rennes in 2020, has been the subject of transfer interest from Liverpool for a while now, and January could see the Reds make their move.

With Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane off to represent their respective countries at the Africa Cup of Nations, and with injuries to Takumi Minamino, Liverpool are left very light up top, and will head into 2022 already trailing defending Premier League champions Manchester City by nine points.

It could be quite the u-turn from Raphinha, who, earlier in the year, stated his desire to stay at Leeds, and believed he could reach his ambitions there.

In November, when asked about his future, he said: “When you bring together players with a real, strong, winning desire together with the manager, the coaching staff, fans who love the club, you create a wonderful atmosphere in the stadium and at the training ground.

“Marcelo Bielsa demands a lot of us. We know that. We’re used to it. We listen to him. He helps us develop and evolve as players, as professionals.

“We listen to him and we play his style of football. That’s the football that has put us, that has given us attention in the Premier League, made us stand out in the Premier League and made Leeds a Premier League team.”

He wouldn’t come cheap though, especially in January as Leeds’ poor form has seen them looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone.

The 2019/2020 Championship champions could ask for upwards of £50 million for the star, who has seen his stock skyrocket in 2021.

He made his debut for the Brazilian national team this season, and currently has 8 goals in 16 matches this season.

He has previously stated his desire to play European football, and signing for Liverpool could give him the platform to do just so.