Leeds set to table £22.5m offer for major striker target – report

Leeds United are set to make their first offer for Valencia striker Rodrigo, according to Spanish outlet AS.

Valencia have to sell players and Rodrigo has been earmarked for an exit this summer by the cash-strapped club.

AS claim that Bielsa has asked Andrea Radrizzani to sign Rodrigo and the club is ready to make their first move with an offer of £22.5m.

It is claimed that Valencia are open to offers for their striker and do not have a fixed price in mind for Rodrigo.

News of Leeds' interest in Rodrigo was broken by Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio and the Daily Mail has since said that they had made an initial enquiry to Valencia.

AS also claim that Atletico Madrid are still interested in signing Rodrigo after a £27m offer was rejected in January.

Rodrigo a long shot

It does seem that Leeds are interested in Rodrigo and the thought of the Spanish international playing at Elland Road under Marcelo Bielsa is an exciting one.

However, Athletic journalist Phil Hay has said that getting him is a "long shot" and with Atletico still interested, it could be a real reach.

Rodrigo also missed the last few games of last season with a knee injury and wasn't involved in Valencia's first pre-season friendly on Saturday.

That was put down to an injury and Rodrigo was out a few times last season with the knee problem.

Would Leeds really want to take another risk on a striker who isn't match fit? They tried that with Jean-Kevin Augustin last January and it was a disaster.

If Rodrigo is still suffering from his knee problem – and he hasn't played since early July – how long would it take him to get fit for Leeds?

That's a real issue in our eyes.

In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay: Leeds set to sign young Arsenal striker who has been compared to Robin van Persie