Rodrigo transfer ‘done deal’ for Leeds United exit, deal to be signed Wednesday – Fabrizio Romano
Rodrigo is in the progress of his medical to leave Leeds United for Al Rayyan in Qatar with the deal to be signed later on Wednesday (12 July), Fabrizio Romano reports.
The Spanish forward was expected to leave Elland Road following relegation to the Championship, having scored 13 Premier League goals last season.
He was heavily linked to an Everton move amid extensive interest from around Europe and the Middle East but the latter has come out on top and the move is now set to be sealed.
Reporting via Twitter Wednesday morning (12 July) Romano wrote: “Excl: Rodrigo Moreno Machado leaves Leeds United and joins Qatari side Al Rayyan, done deal and here we go.
“Medical ongoing for Rodrigo, waiting to complete documents and get the deal signed later today.”
Gone
This is the highest profile exit of the summer so far, from what was always expected to be an extensive set of departures.
The fee is as yet unclear but there was thought to be a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave for as little as £3million after relegation [Cope, 7 June].
Rodrigo was a former record signing at Elland Road who struggled to justify the fee to start with, but he emerged as a crucial performer for Leeds United last season.
His international career is ongoing so it was always going to be a struggle to keep him in the Championship, but it therefore may come as a slight surprise that he is headed to Qatar rather than the Premier League to La Liga.
Barring any late hitches in the medical the move should become the first permanent departure from the first team of the transfer window after a series of loans were confirmed.
The 32-year-old leaves Elland Road after 97 appearances and 28 goals in all competitions after arriving from Valencia for £27m [Sky Sports].
In other Leeds United news, the club are now in talks with the mastermind of a Premier League club for another senior Elland Road appointment.