Player wanted by Leeds chief Radrizzani has £45m release clause – report
Leeds United target Rodrigo has a release clause worth a huge £45million in his contract at Valencia, according to the Daily Mail.
However, the newspaper reports that Leeds won’t have to pay anywhere near that for the 29-year-old striker as it is understood Valencia are willing to listen to offers of around £30million.
The Mail claims that Rodrigo is interested in joining Leeds this summer and “is open to a new challenge under Marcelo Bielsa”.
Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported earlier this week that both Bielsa and Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani were keen on signing Rodrigo.
Phil Hay has since added that Leeds feel that reaching a deal for the Spain international is a “long shot” but Di Marzio was spotted with Radrizzani on Instagram around the same time he first brought the news to light.
Rodrigo seems to be a concrete target for Leeds.
Bielsa does need to add to his striker options ahead of next season kicking off in a few weeks’ time and the Brazil-born ace could be seen as a major upgrade on Patrick Bamford.
However, Bielsa likes his players to be well-drilled and meeting his high fitness standards.
Bamford is going to be a lot closer to meeting those requirements than any player Bielsa signs to compete with him for the striker spot next season so no matter who Leeds sign to play up front in the coming weeks, you can expect Bamford to start against Liverpool at Anfield on September 12.
But, having Spain striker Rodrigo waiting on the bench could be a very nice option for Bielsa to have if things are not going right.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have made a bid to sign this 23-year-old English forward.