When Manchester United were searching for a winger last summer, Raphinha’s name didn’t come up.
Instead newly promoted Leeds made a swoop for the Rennes wide man, and he has gone on to become one of the Premier League’s most eye-catching stars.
The Express this week suggested Raphinha as player United should go after this summer.
There’s some logic to it. Raphinha would instantly upgrade United’s wide options with his combination of clever movement, trickery, and directness, and his previous connection with Bruno Fernandes from their Sporting days helps too.
But this dodges the reality of the strengthened middle-tier of Premier League teams, which makes it harder for clubs like United to convince them to part with their best players.
When United last signed a player from a Premier League club, it was an excessive fee, with Harry Maguire valued at £80 million by Leicester.
These types of valuations have since put United off moves for the likes of Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Declan Rice.
Leeds famously sold Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith to United in the past. But this is 2021, and they are better run financially now than at any point in the past three decades.
Now, find our own Raphinha
You don’t get anywhere in this tricky transfer market by paying over the odds for a player who cost just £17 million a year ago. Leeds would be in their right to demand more than double for a player who has five goals and five assists this season for a mid-tier side.
United shouldn’t be spending £50 million like this. Instead it is time to re-evaluate.
Why did United miss out on Raphinha last summer? The club were too set on signing Jadon Sancho and backed off the high price.
The back-up plan was to sign two teenagers, Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri. As a long-term option, that’s fine, it just hasn’t given us any impact this season so far.
Raphinha’s success demonstrates that there are good players on the market for reasonable prices. Obviously the cost always goes up when United are involved, but there should be a middle ground.
The 24-year-old was a low risk gamble by Leeds who has made an immediate impact. There should be a few more of those around Europe.
United’s scouts have plenty of time to find this season’s hidden gems.
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