Rodrigo set for Leeds United transfer decision amid Qatar development
Rodrigo Moreno is close to leaving Leeds United and joining Qatari side Al Rayyan, according to journalist Bruno Andrade.
The experienced Spanish forward has been heavily linked with an exit following the Whites’ relegation from the Premier League.
Andrade, a Portuguese journalist for publications such as UOL Esporte and CNN Portugal, posted on Twitter to say Rodrigo wants to link up with Leonardo Jardim in the Qatar Stars League.
“Rodrigo Moreno is close to leaving Leeds for Al Rayyan. Wants to be the first major reinforcement of the Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim in Qatar,” Andrade wrote.
Rodrigo has previously been tipped to return to LaLiga with Sevilla (Vamos Mi Sevilla, 24 June) where ex-Leeds sporting director Victor Orta now works, while Premier League side Everton has also been credited with an interest (Tuttomercatoweb, 24 June).
A disappointing move
At 32, Rodrigo is hardly a young pup anymore but nor is he really ready to be put out to pasture.
That is evidenced by the fact so many reputable clubs across Europe have been linked with his signature.
Take Sevilla for example. That move would have offered the chance to return to Spain, still feature in LaLiga, and more importantly for a side playing in the Champions League.
Everton have had their struggles and are in disarray off the pitch so you can maybe understand his reluctance to potentially once again be caught up in a relegation battle in England.
But a switch to Qatar feels hugely underwhelming at this juncture. It does not take a genius to work out what the lure will be, and money talks. It does tend to talk even louder towards the twilight of a player’s career too, but this does feel like a disappointing move.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have been tipped to make an “outstanding” appointment in Daniel Farke.