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Premier League new boys Leeds United could be set to add yet another Spaniard to their ranks – but this one looks to be a cut above the rest.
Reports in the press have linked the Yorkshire club with Valencia and Spain striker Rodrigo. Even for a club of the size and stature of Leeds, it would be seen as something of a coup.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague reported the news on Twitter.
What a proposition (Valencia's) Rodrigo/Leeds as reported! The player would be more than happy to play for Bielsa and for a club like #LUFC. Fast, goalscorer, hard worker without the ball, Spanish international. Perfect for Bielsa if original interest is pursued pic.twitter.com/8eAiexiq50
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 20, 2020
Balague says Leeds’ pursuit of Rodrigo is not a pipe dream.
“The player would be more than happy to play for Bielsa and for a club like Leeds.”
Balague feels Rodrigo’s attributes are perfectly suited to Leeds, in particular manager Marcelo Bielsa’s style of football.
“Fast, goalscorer, hard worker without the ball, Spanish international. Perfect for Bielsa if original interest is pursued.”
Leeds lifted the Sky Bet Championship after finishing on 93 points, a final day 4-0 demolition of relegated Charlton Athletic putting the icing on the cake for the Elland Road side.
They have already nailed Manchester City winger Jack Harrison down on a second season-long loan, and are now looking to bolster their attack even further.
Patrick Bamford and Tyler Roberts remain as Leeds’ only recognised strikers. Although Bamford finished the 2019/20 campaign with 16 goals, Marcelo Bielsa will feel he will need to strengthen in that area ahead of the upcoming season.
Although he was born in Rio de Janeiro, Rodrigo is a naturalised Spanish citizen after moving to Europe at a very young age. He left Real Madrid for Benfica in 2010, where he scored 27 goals in 68 games.
He joined Valencia in 2015, and quickly established himself as the club’s top marksman. He has so far bagged 35 goals in 141 games for Los Murcelagos.
After making his international debut with Spain in 2014, Rodrigo has scored eight goals in 22 appearances.
