It is now more than two years since Raphinha left Leeds United in the summer of 2022 to follow his dream and join Barcelona, and the Brazilian is finally showing his best at the Nou Camp.
Signed in Leeds‘ first summer back in the Premier League from French side Rennes, Raphinha starred under Marcelo Bielsa. He played 67 times over the next two seasons and had a hand in 29 goals for Leeds.
Even during Jesse Marsch’s first few months, Raphinha sparkled in a Leeds shirt. In his last appearance for the club, Raphinha won and scored a penalty in the 2-1 win at Brentford to keep Leeds in the top tier.
Since leaving Leeds, Raphinha had his critics for the first couple of seasons with Barcelona despite 44 goals and assists in 86 games. But this season, Raphinha has sparkled with five goals and three assists.
Those eight involvements have come in just eight games, after Raphinha rejected an £85m move to Al-Hilal in the summer. Now, Raphinha may just be able to help former side Leeds make a marquee signing.
Raphinha can now help Leeds sign Manor Solomon permanently
Raphinha is arguably Leeds’ best left-sided winger since the turn of the century. Right now, that position is filled by on-loan Tottenham star Manor Solomon, who has enjoyed a mixed start to his loan at Leeds.
There is no doubt Leeds will be looking into the possibility of a permanent move for the Israel skipper. Meanwhile, expert Fabrizio Romano says Tottenham are long-term admirers of Barcelona’s Raphinha.
“Raphinha has always been attractive to several clubs. There was interest from Chelsea and interest from Arsenal. He’s always been a player of interest for Tottenham, they have always appreciated him.
With Spurs keen on Raphinha, it suggests that they are planning for life without Solomon and looking to bring in a new winger even though Solomon remains on the books at Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham.
Signing Raphinha pushes Solomon down the pecking order, and closer to the exit door on a permanent basis. Tottenham signing Raphinha then, may help Leeds in a possible permanent pursuit for Solomon.
Junior Firpo is already enjoying his partnership with Solomon
The Leeds left-back has spent the last 12 months overlapping Crysencio Summerville before the latter’s move to West Ham. So, whoever came in, would see Firpo have to adapt and get used to a new winger.
That man appears to be Solomon even if he missed Saturday’s 2-0 win at Cardiff with a back injury. But Firpo is already a big fan of Solomon and is confident that he and the on-loan star can thrive together.
Speaking to LUTV ahead of last weekend’s win over Cardiff, Firpo said: “He’s a really good footballer and his understanding of football is also really, really high. So I think there won’t be a problem with Manor.”
Firpo can be a real asset for Leeds this season, given Firpo has had more assists than any other in the Championship in 2024. But to do that, Firpo needs to form a connection and with Solomon, he can.
