Leeds United know they have big boots to fill this summer if they lose star man Raphinha. The Brazilian scored 11 times and notched three assists for the Whites last season and is being linked with a move away from Elland Road.
Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Barcelona have all been credited with an interest in the 25-year-old, with the latter of those three the favourite for his signature. Leeds' Premier League survival means they are in the best position possible ahead of negotiations with other clubs.
If they were relegated to the Championship, it's claimed that the Brazilian had a €25million release clause, but the Whites could ask for double that given the state of the transfer market. Raphinha signed for Leeds at the beginning of the 2020-21 Premier League campaign for a reported fee of £17million.
READ MORE: Leeds United news as Che Adams link re-emerges & Liverpool urged to 'go all in' for Kalvin Phillips
Jesse Marsch's side know they'll need to reinvest the money into the squad. The lack of senior players available to the head coach played a huge part in Leeds' battle against relegation and they'll been to avoid a repeat of that next season.
The Whites have already signed RB Salzburg winger Brenden Aaronson but Raphinha's departure would leave them light on creativity and goals. With that in mind, Leeds Live has looked at three potential signings the Whites could make if Raphinha were to leave.
Noa Lang
Leeds have had a long standing interest in Dutch winger Noa Lang but interest in the wide midfielder is beginning to heat up. Serie A champions AC Milan are reportedly leading the way to sign the 22-year-old
The Whites did not want to meet Club Brugge's asking price last summer, but that hasn't stopped speculation resurfacing. The Belgian side are reportedly holding out for €25million which would be a substantial fee.
Lang scored seven goals and registered 12 assists in 31 appearances in the Jupilar Pro League last year. The former Ajax man tends to operate as a left-winger, which may prove useful if the Whites were to lose Jack Harrison this summer.
Max Cornet
Another sensible signing would be Max Cornet from Burnley. The Ivorian was linked with a move to Leeds last summer, but the Clarets swooped in and the former defender turned winger enjoyed an impressive season at Turk Moor.
Despite their season ending in relegation, Cornet scored nine goals in 26 games in all competitions after signing a five-year deal last summer. The 25-year-old made the switch for a reported fee of €12million.
However, The Athletic reports Cornet has a release clause in his contract in the region of £17.5million after Burnley's relegation. Injuries have interrupted his first season at Turf Moor, but his statistics are impressive enough to warrant a move back to the Premier League.
He managed one assist last year, which is a downside to his game, but the Clarets struggled to score goals last season.
Brennan Johnson
Another upcoming star that looks destined for greatness is Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson. The 21-year-old is believed to have been watched by Leeds United in the past but Forest's promotion to the Premier League puts a significant hurdle in the way of a move.
The Wales international burst onto the scene at Lincoln City under the guidance of Michael Appleton, playing anywhere across the front three. He returned to Forest last summer and has been a mainstay in Steve Cooper's side.
Johnson scored 19 goals and clocked up nine assists in 53 games in all competitions last season. He's on the radar of a number of Premier League sides and it may require a hefty fee to prise him away from the City Ground.
If Raphinha does leave Elland Road this summer, the Whites should certainly try to sign the Wales international.
