Leeds United transfer news as Rodrigo in advanced £2.6m Al Rayyan talks
Leeds United forward Rodrigo is in advanced negotiations with Qatari outfit Al Rayyan and he could depart Elland Road with a £2.6m release clause in his contract, according to journalist Bruno Andrade.
The Spanish international reportedly has a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave Elland Road for around £3million following the club’s relegation to the Championship.
Following a challenging first year in English football, the £100k-per-week Spaniard enjoyed an excellent campaign despite the club’s Premier League struggles, scoring 15 goals from 35 matches and attracting plenty of interest for his services.
And according to Andrade, taking to his personal Twitter account [28 June], the release clause in Rodrigo’s contract has dropped to just £2.6m with the Spaniard in advanced talks with Al Rayyan.
He wrote: “Leeds’ relegation to the Championship caused Rodrigo Moreno’s release clause to drop to just €3m.
“Al Rayyan has advanced negotiation, but there is strong competition from other clubs (including some English ones).”
Can still play at top level
The potential departure of Rodrigo would be a huge loss to Leeds United and the club’s fans after he stood up and made himself counted in a side that was short on confidence and lacked composure in front of goal last season.
The Spaniard’s energy, aggression and never-say-die attitude certainly endeared him to the Elland Road support throughout his three-year stint in West Yorkshire.
The former Valencia forward scored 13 of his side’s 48 goals in the Premier League on his way to being named the club’s Player of the Season, paying back some of the £27m they shelled out for him two summers ago.
And it’s certainly a surprise to see him choose a route to Qatar given he still has all the tools to play at the top level elsewhere.
The 32-year-old is certainly approaching his twilight years and still has only a year left on his current contract which means the Whites are resigned to losing him, but it seems as if Rodrigo is trying out another route rather than return to his native Spain. Each to their own.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are planning to offer an exit-bound ace less money to stay according to Phil Hay.