Raphinha quickly established himself as a big fish in a relatively small pond for Leeds, flourishing under Marcelo Bielsa and later Jesse Marsch in the Premier League \u2013 almost single-handedly keeping the Whites up under the latter.<\/p>\n
A big-money move was inevitable after relegation was narrowly survived in the 2021\/22 season, and Raphinha soon departed for FC Barcelona. Times were tough initially in Spain, but in 2024, Raphinha transformed into one of the best attackers in the world.<\/p>\n
Promoted sides have had a tough time of late, with the last six going straight back down. If Leeds<\/strong><\/a>, Burnley and Sheffield United or Sunderland want to avoid the same fate, they may need to unearth their own Raphinha \u2013 someone clearly a cut above their team-mates who can help keep them afloat.<\/p>\n Here are 10 such suggestions for those promoted sides \u2013 mainly Leeds, given that\u2019s where the man himself made his mark, and they have more pull than the others.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Rayan Cherki (Lyon)<\/strong> It may simply come down to who moves fastest. And if it is Leeds, they\u2019ll be getting an exciting, skilful, left-footed attacking midfielder with an eye for goal \u2013 someone who can play on both wings or even up front. Not only could he be their new Raphinha<\/strong><\/a>, he might become a better version of him.<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0Who will win the Ballon d\u2019Or trophy in 2025? Will it be one of Barcelona\u2019s La Liga champions?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Allan Saint-Maximin (Al Ahli)<\/strong> The Frenchman is currently contracted to Al Ahli but on loan at Fenerbahce, where injuries have disrupted his season and Jose Mourinho\u2019s rotation policy hasn\u2019t exactly helped. But in the right environment \u2013 and with regular minutes \u2013 ASM remains a player capable of thriving.<\/p>\n This may be driven partly by a personal desire to see him back in the Premier League, but there\u2019s every reason to believe he could contribute meaningfully for a newly-promoted side with a tidy blend of chaos, creativity and crowd-pleasing dribbling.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Donyell Malen (Aston Villa)<\/strong> He won\u2019t want to bounce around clubs forever, but two Premier League starts and none in Europe is a pretty miserable beginning to life at Villa Park. If the Villans can recoup the \u00a321m they invested, they might be tempted to cut their losses \u2013 and Leeds would be significantly better off for it.<\/p>\n Malen has scored 130 goals in 346 career appearances and remains a direct, dangerous wide forward who could thrive as the standout star in a side fighting for survival.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Noa Lang (PSV)<\/strong> Now closing in on another Eredivisie title with PSV \u2013 helped along nicely by a remarkable Ajax bottlejob \u2013 Lang might finally fancy testing himself in the Premier League. And given the history of those persistent links, Leeds would be the natural step.<\/p>\n Eredivisie signings don\u2019t always do well in England. People somehow always delude themselves into thinking they will, but it might actually work for Leeds.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Joao Felix (Chelsea)<\/strong> Felix\u2019s market value has nosedived since falling out with Diego Simeone in 2022. He underwhelmed on loan at Chelsea and Barca, before the former bizarrely decided \u00a345million was a wise investment. After barely featuring there, he was shipped off to Milan, where he\u2019s managed one goal and one assist in 19 appearances this season.<\/p>\n He\u2019s one of the biggest disappointments in recent memory \u2013 a player once tipped for greatness who\u2019s come nowhere near fulfilling his potential. But maybe what he needs is a fresh start, somewhere he\u2019s clearly a cut above his team-mates. He\u2019s not a Chelsea, Atletico, Milan or Barcelona player \u2013 and while he might also be better than Leeds, Burnley or even Wolves, we\u2019ve yet to see any actual evidence of that.<\/p>\n The obvious stumbling block is the money \u2013 his wages will be astronomical. But Leeds should at least try their luck with a loan, ideally with an option or obligation to buy if they avoid relegation.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
Reportedly wanted by Manchester United<\/strong><\/a> and Liverpool<\/strong><\/a>, Leeds would be doing very well to land Rayan Cherki this summer. But it\u2019s not entirely out of the question. Lyon were said to be open to selling him to Fulham for around \u00a315million last summer, and he now reportedly has an \u00a318million release clause \u2013 a laughably low fee for a player of his talent. Lyon need the cash, and at that price, he\u2019s a realistic target for Leeds.<\/p>\n
A fan favourite at Newcastle<\/strong><\/a> thanks to his speed, tricks and sheer confidence on the ball, Saint-Maximin might leave a bit to be desired in terms of end product \u2013 but his technical ability and flair would make him a strong signing for Leeds.<\/p>\n
Malen appears to have been on the wrong end of some broken promises after joining Aston Villa in January, only to see Marcus Rashford arrive after him and take his spot in Unai Emery\u2019s Champions League squad<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n
This guy seemed to be on the verge of joining Leeds every transfer window they were in the Premier League<\/strong><\/a>, but for one reason or another, it never quite happened.<\/p>\n
Having cost Atletico Madrid over \u00a3100million before\u00a0being passed around\u00a0Chelsea<\/strong><\/a>, Barcelona and now AC Milan, 45-cap Portugal international Felix might well turn his nose up at a move to Elland Road. But let\u2019s be honest \u2013 he\u2019s hardly in a position to tell any Premier League club he\u2019s too good for them.<\/p>\n