49ers could sign Leeds’ next Raphinha by finalising move for “legendary” £27m star – report…

The 49ers might secure Leeds’ next Raphinha by completing a deal for a “legendary” £27m player, according to reports.

Leeds United is currently working to assemble a squad capable of avoiding immediate relegation from the Premier League upon their return.

The Whites are aware of the significant challenge they face, as the last six teams promoted to the top tier have all been relegated in their first season back.

Daniel Farke and his recruitment team have been diligently focused on enhancing the defensive aspect of the squad, with three out of their four signings thus far being defenders.

Sebastiaan Bornauw and Jaka Bijol have joined to strengthen the manager’s options in central defense, while Gabriel Gudmundsson has been brought in as the new primary left-back.

Nevertheless, the Whites have yet to make a notable acquisition to boost their attacking capabilities, which may be essential for their survival, similar to the approach taken during Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure.

Victor Orta ensured that the head coach had sufficient quality to compete in the Premier League by investing significantly to bring Raphinha from Rennes.

The significance of Raphinha as a statement signing for Leeds.

The West Yorkshire club reportedly paid £17m to acquire the Brazilian forward from the Ligue 1 team, a fee that, while not excessive, still represented a clear statement of intent.

Leeds demonstrated their willingness to invest heavily to enhance their attacking options ahead of their Premier League return, and they were richly rewarded by Raphinha’s contributions on the field during his two seasons in England.

The Brazil international proved to be a pivotal signing for the Whites, as his performance in the attacking third was crucial in helping the team progress and maintain their Premier League status in both seasons.

Raphinha made an immediate impact, scoring six goals and providing nine assists in his debut Premier League season, followed by an impressive tally of 11 goals and ten ‘big chances’ created during the 2021/22 season.

The Leeds star achieved a high ranking among his positional counterparts in nearly all significant attacking metrics, highlighting the quality he demonstrated in front of goal.

This indicates that he was a key signing for the Whites, as they invested significantly to bring him to Elland Road, and he repaid that investment with crucial performances that ensured their survival.

Raphinha’s significance to the team is further emphasized by the fact that Leeds faced relegation from the Premier League the season following his transfer to Barcelona for £55m in the summer of 2022.

It is now the responsibility of the recruitment team to identify a player of Raphinha’s caliber for Farke; someone who can step in and make a substantial impact in the attacking third to help the team avoid relegation.

Earlier this month, journalist Ian Darke commented on the potential future of Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth, suggesting: “Perhaps Newcastle or Leeds, especially if Newcastle were to lose Isak, it wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

Although there are currently no solid connections indicating that the Whites are planning to pursue the Norway international, acquiring the forward could represent this summer’s equivalent of Orta’s Raphinha signing.

Reasons for Leeds to consider signing Alexander Sorloth

While it is undeniably crucial to maintain a solid defensive framework, the reality is that goals are what win matches, and Leeds requires players capable of delivering sufficient quality in front of goal to secure enough points for Premier League survival.

Raphinha consistently contributed goals and assists, which played a vital role in keeping Leeds in the top division for two seasons, underscoring his importance to the club. Sorloth possesses the potential to create a similar impact at Elland Road.

Fans who may not closely follow leagues outside of England might initially be doubtful, especially considering the striker’s record of one goal in 20 appearances for Crystal Palace between 2018 and 2019.

Nonetheless, Sorloth has built an impressive career since his departure from Selhurst Park and is now playing for Atletico Madrid, one of Europe’s elite teams.

The Norwegian international, who was acquired by Atleti for £27 million, has demonstrated his prowess as a reliable goalscorer in LaLiga over the past two seasons with Villarreal and his current team.

Leeds is in need of a player who can consistently pose a threat in front of goal to enhance their chances of avoiding relegation, and Sorloth’s performance in the last two seasons indicates that he could be the right fit.

As illustrated in the table above, the left-footed striker has netted 43 goals across the last two LaLiga seasons for both Villarreal and Atleti, scoring frequently as both a regular starter and an impactful substitute.

Sorloth, who was praised as “legendary” by OptaJose after netting four goals against Real Sociedad, has proven that he can excel as a goalscorer at the highest level while fulfilling various roles within a team, highlighting his versatility and quality.

Thus, the 29-year-old forward could be the ideal candidate to become Leeds’ next signing following Raphinha, as the type of goalscoring ability he brings could secure enough points for the team to evade immediate relegation next season.

However, as previously mentioned, Darke’s prediction is currently all we have to rely on. This means it is still uncertain whether he will be a target for the Whites this summer.

Leeds should, however, make a significant effort to acquire the striker, as it would signal their intent to sign a forward with established quality, similar to when they brought Raphinha from Ligue 1 in 2020.