The two Premier League sides continue to be linked with the same players recently. Ben White, Nikola Milenkovic and now Raphinha will likely be the subjects of a transfer war between the two rivals.
The rivalry spilling over to transfer market does not come as much of a surprise, both clubs have dealt with injuries or need to strengthen similar positions. The players listed also do not come with as steep of an asking price, compared to other players linked with the clubs. A bidding war could force the clubs to over pay for one of the players.
Raphinha
It was reported by Sportitalia Journalist Gianluigi Longari that Raphinha could be targeted by both clubs, like all the players listed, multiple teams will be inquiring about the prospect of acquiring them.
Raphinha has five goals and assists in seventeen games this season. Leeds are 5th in the league in scoring this season and Raphinha has transitioned well from Rennes and statistically has surpassed what he did in his best Ligue 1 campaign.
Raphinha plays primarily at right wing but could play on the left as well. Leeds bought the Brazilian for €20 million but could double their money in one year. €40 million could be seen as pricey but it is almost €60 million less than what Borussia Dortmund is commanding for Jadon Sancho. Jack Grealish is also a pricier option and does not seem interested in leaving Aston Villa despite constant speculation of him doing so.
The right wing/midfield position is a position that could use competition after Edison Cavani became the number 9 when fit, the hybrid forwards like Anthony Martial, Daniel James and Mason Greenwood have had some ups and downs playing in that position with Martial and Greenwood looking better centrally.
Ben White and Nikola Milenkovic
Both defenders are linked with United and Liverpool with Milenkovic being more recently. Ben White has had speculation surrounding him since last summer and in the winter tranter window.
Liverpool is in desperate need of a center back after being obliterated at the position with injuries. All of their top center back choices are injured or were injured at some point. United on the other hand need a central defender for competition purposes some suggest another central defender could help United push for a title.
Ben White was highly targeted this summer after a stellar season in the Championship helping Leeds get promoted and win the league. White has played 24 matches this season for Brighton and plays for a defense that is on par with United in terms of goals conceded this season at 32.
If White joins the team United could feature an all English backline and even all English defense if Dean Henderson is keeper next season. It would be interesting if they all played for England in the same team. It is not likely but is possible, Luke Shaw is having one of his best seasons in his career and arguably the best left back in the league.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is one of the best one-on-one defenders in the world and with Trent Alexander-Arnold struggling this season, Wan-Bissaka could be the first choice right back during the March friendlies. Harry Maguire is the captain of both sides and Henderson was outplaying Jordan Pickford last season.
White might be best suited at United for chemistry, to be able to play with the same players all year does not happen often. The success of countries like Germany could be contributed to that. Jerome Boateng, Joshua Kimmich, Mats Hummels and Manuel Neurer have played for Germany and Bayern at the same time with great success.
Nikola Milenkovic reportedly would only cost €30 million, not that bad, if United were to get all three it would be similar in price to the Sancho ransom. Fiorentina are not having a good season, they are currently sitting 14th and look way off the pace of Europe to mount a challenge and finished 10th and 16th the last two seasons.
Milenkovic has started 21 games this season for Fiorentina and is 5th in clearances and 6th in tackles for defenders in the league. Last season he added five goals, a decent return for a defender
United could be in a good situation next season if they were able to bolster their squad with any of the mentioned players creating an extremely competitive squad.
