By Danny Mills

11th Jun, 2022 | 8:00am

Mills issues verdict on Raphinha joining Liverpool from Leeds United after £30m bid

Raphinha may not be ready to replace Sadio Mane at Liverpool, according to Danny Mills.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Leeds United and England defender suggested it may take Raphinha a few years to reach the levels of Mane.

The 30-year-old, who has just 12 months on his Liverpool contract, wants to quit Anfield this summer.

The Athletic reported on Thursday (9 June) that the Reds have rejected a second offer of £23.5million, rising to £30million, from Bayern Munich for the forward.

Raphinha, 25, has two years left on his Leeds deal but has been a long-term target for Liverpool.

Football Insider first revealed last year (6 February 2021) that the Brazil star had impressed their scouts in his impressive debut season in the Premier League.

Asked whether Liverpool could step up their interest in Raphinha, Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “Possibly.

“He’s not at Mane’s level yet. Luis Diaz is in there too.

“He could be one for two or three years down the line. That could be a possibility.

“I’m guessing it’s going to have to be big money. It’s all going to depend on the domino effect. 

“All these moves are reliant on somebody else moving. It’s like a house move, if one falls down they all fall down very, very quickly.” 

Raphinha scored 11 times and provided three assists in 35 Premier League games in the 2021-22 season.

Mane found the net on 16 occasions and chipped in with four assists in 34 top-flight games in the same campaign.

In other news, a finance guru has revealed Liverpool stand to benefit from a ‘£400million-plus’ deal.