August 25, 2020
Leeds United are closing in on the signing of Spain international Rodrigo after a day of positive talks over the Valencia striker’s future, reports Phil Hay.
The Elland Road club are increasingly optimistic that Rodrigo’s signature will be secured this week after making their move for the 29-year-old Brazilian-born forward.
Valencia invited offers for Rodrigo as part of a major attempt to cut costs and discussions involving Leeds’ director of football Victor Orta in the past 24 hours have brought the two sides to the brink of an agreement.
The Athletic understands that Rodrigo is keen to play both in the Premier League and under United head coach Marcelo Bielsa. The two clubs are yet to officially settle on a price but Leeds expect to be able to satisfy Valencia with an offer in the region of £30m, breaking their transfer record of £18m for Rio Ferdinand.
An agreement over terms could allow a medical to take place before the weekend. Leeds were not actively pursuing Rodrigo at the start of this transfer window but expressed an interest after being made aware that Valencia were looking to sell him.
He has prior experience of the Premier League, though only briefly during a loan at Bolton Wanderers in the 2010-11 season when he moved to England from Benfica. Rodrigo — capped 22 times by Spain — has been a Valencia player for six seasons but is no longer training with the club having been told that he has no future there.
Leeds, meanwhile, are poised to follow up their interest in Freiburg’s Robin Koch with a firm offer for the centre-back. Koch emerged as a defensive target after three offers for Ben White were rejected by Brighton.
The 24-year-old is out of contract next summer and is also believed to be keen on a switch to Elland Road
https://theathletic.com/1959808/2020/08/25/transfer-news-leeds-rodrigo/