Craig Scott

Wed 7 June 2023 16:40, UK

By James Murray

Leeds United striker Rodrigo Moreno has emerged as a potential option for Real Madrid as they look to replace Karim Benzema, according to Cadena Cope.

The Spanish international reportedly has a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave Elland Road for just £3million following the club’s relegation to the Championship.

Following a challenging first year in English football, the 32-year-old had an excellent season in a Whites shirt during the last campaign despite the club’s struggles, having scored 15 goals in 35 matches.

It now has emerged, though, that Rodrigo could be on his way back to the club where he started his career after the La Liga giants have been linked with acquiring his services.

Huge loss

The potential departure of Rodrigo would be a huge loss to Leeds 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 striker 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 £27million fee they paid for him two summers ago.

While a move back to Madrid would potentially suit the Spaniard, it would leave the Whites short on options up front and severely diminish the club’s chances of bouncing back up to the Premier League at the first attempt.

It would, however, be a big name off the wage bill, with Rodrigo reportedly earning £100,000-a-week before the relegation, according to the Times.

But given clauses in the majority of the Leeds players’ contracts, he could be earning quite a lot less than that.

While freeing up some of the wage bill would be welcome, losing a player of Rodrigo’s quality for a fraction of the price they paid for him would be disappointing.

In other Leeds United news, allies of this out-of-work manager are confident he’ll get the gig at Elland Road.