Whilst I acknowledge Raphinha as a quality player fully capable of improving the output we achieved last season from right wing, and at the same time be likely to act as a motivational tool and incentive for Bukayo Saka to produce his best level to a greater consistency and thus improve the squad, not acquiring his services is by no means devastating.
If anything, my hope is that the club is putting to good use all the experience they've gained over the years in the practice of using smoke and mirrors to have portrayed one thing as they actually went and did the opposite in the intricate art of misdirection. If it has indeed been by design for Edu to exploit his Brazilian connection to the Leeds wide man as part of a decoy in averting prying eyes from our true transfer targets, then well played that man.
As such, my hope would be that Gabriel Jesus is indeed the one to be the prime candidate to operate in a front 3 as a designated RWF easily capable of occupying the central striking position too should need arise, as opposed to it being his primary position within the team.
To that end, my hope and preference would be for us to complete the recruitment of either Gianluca Scamacca or Cody Gakpo to play that central striking role in a front 3 being flanked by Gabriel Martinelli on the left and Gabriel Jesus on the right as our 1st choice attacking option.