Leeds United appear to be preparing for life without Raphinha, if emerging reports are to be believed…
What’s the word?
According to Italian outlet Il Mattino (via Sport Witness), the Yorkshire outfit are leading the race to sign Georgia international Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer.
The 22-year-old dynamo will not return to Russian side Rubin Kazan after the international break, with UEFA allowing players to leave the country for another team if they wish.
Kvaratskhelia is set to return to his country to play for FC Dinamo Batumi until the summer when he will then be in a position to join another club.
Serie A outfit Napoli and Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur are also mooted with interest, though the player’s exit from Rubin Kazan is seen as a big boost towards Leeds’ chances of sealing his signature.
Fit to replace rampant Raphinha?
You’d imagine a move for any new winger this off-season means that Raphinha is likely heading out the exit door, unsurprisingly after his phenomenal campaign, where he leads the goalscoring and creativity charts for the club.
FC Barcelona are being widely touted as a likely destination, whilst Liverpool are also been linked in recent windows.
But is Kvaratskhelia the right signing to make to potentially fill such a big void? His profile certainly fits the bill.
As per ScoutCharts, the £14.4m-rated attacker was clear in the Russian Premier League for his dribbling ability, averaging 3.14 successful attempts per 90.
By the chart above, the 12-cap Georgian star is in a league of his own for his dribbling ability and that is something that Raphinha is renowned for over in England, not just leading the Leeds squad with 2.3 successful attempts per 90 but ranking inside the top five in the Premier League, for all players to make 24 or more appearances, as per WhoScored.
Kvaratskhelia had been in good form for Rubin this campaign, managing two goals and five assists in 19 appearances, in which 17 were starts.
Interestingly, his playing style has been likened to that of Franck Ribery or Arjen Robben, due to his technique, something that only bolstered his credentials in potentially succeeding the Brazil international at Elland Road.
“Naturally. He is from the same galaxy of players as Ribery or Robben,” claimed former Russia U18 coach Denis Bushuev. “He could play in the top five clubs in the Bundesliga – he has crazy technique.”
On the above evidence, Whites boss Jesse Marsch could be onto a winner in their tricky search for an ideal successor to Raphinha, It would be a big gamble from the club but one that could ultimately pay off.
No one could’ve predicted the Brazilian’s immediate impact following his move from Stade Rennes.
AND in other news, Forget Raphinha: Marsch heading for big Leeds nightmare over £42m-rated “rare talent”…