Leeds United now in advanced talks to sell Rodrigo as Sevilla priced out of transfer deal
Leeds United striker Rodrigo is now in advanced negotiations with Qatari club Al Rayyan, according to ElDesmarque.
The publication noted that La Liga club Sevilla had been targeting the forward, but that the club are not willing to meet his “very high” economic demands.
Rodrigo joined the Elland Road outfit on a four-year deal from Valencia in August 2020, having previously played in England with Bolton Wanderers.
“The Spaniard was one of Sevilla’s targets after Leeds United’s relegation to the Championship,” according to ElDesmarque. “However, the economic demands that the winner of the UEFA Nations League with Spain asks for are very high and the Seville club is not willing to reach.
“With this, the former Valencia player points to Arab football. At first he sounded for Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, however he seems to be close to Qatari football, more specifically Al Rayyan.”
ElDesmarque added that the Leeds ace is in “advanced negotiations with the Qatari team.”
Summer exit inevitable
Given his clear ability, it is becoming increasingly likely that Rodrigo will not be playing in the Championship next season, although the Leeds hierarchy have probably been aware of that for some time now.
The Spaniard banged in 15 goals in all competitions last time out; 13 in the Premier League and two in the FA Cup.
He often single-handedly won games for his club, with the Whites struggling massively in the final third when the star striker was out injured.
So an Elland Road exit this summer for the Spanish ace is almost certain, but it is Rodrigo’s next destination that remains up in the air.
The forward knows La Liga well thanks to his time at Valencia, but at 32, he may be wanting a huge payday as he nears the final years of his career, and that is very likely to come in either Saudi Arabia or Qatar.
In other Leeds United news, one Whites player has decided on a Newcastle United transfer amid “financial temptations.”