Victor Orta reveals text message sent to Rodrigo amid £3m Leeds transfer speculation
Sevilla sporting director Victor Orta has sent his former side Leeds United a clear message in response to rumours linking Sevilla with Rodrigo, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
It was announced today that former Leeds United sporting director Orta has joined Sevilla to fill the same role at the Spanish side on a three-year deal.
A disagreement between himself and the board over former manager Javi Gracia’s position led to Orta leaving Elland Road by mutual consent back in May.
And now, Orta could haunt his old side by making Rodrigo his first signing for Sevilla, as reported by El Partidazo de COPE (20 June). It would be the second time Orta has signed the forward after he brought him to Leeds from Valencia in 2020.
“I’m not talking about specific names,” Orta said in response to being asked about the rumours, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post (20 June).
“Yesterday I sent him a congratulatory message for the Nations League, if that’s where the rumour comes from then it’s a bit exaggerated.”
Orta haunts Leeds
There is no denying that Rodrigo would be a massive loss for Leeds. He was the club’s most prolific player last season and certainly deserves to make the move to a side such as Sevilla who are playing Champions League football next year.
13 goals in 31 Premier League appearances is an incredible return for a player in a side fighting relegation and the eventual drop to the Championship means Rodrigo himself is most likely keen on a move away. If he has the option to make the switch to his native Spain, at the age of 32, it is pretty hard to imagine he wouldn’t take it.
It would of course be a bitter pill to swallow to see a former Leeds chief take the club’s star player for himself, however, if Rordigo is to make the switch, it would be tough to begrudge him.
Everyone at Leeds will certainly wish him the best.
In other Leeds United news, Rodrigo’s rumoured move to Sevilla has been broken down here.