Leeds United have confirmed the permanent acquisition of Valencia striker Rodrigo. The Spanish international has been the centre of Leeds United transfer news over the last week – Leeds have finally got their man.
Announcing the news through their social media channels and on their website on Saturday morning, Leeds report Rodrigo was signed for a ‘club record fee’.
That puts it ahead of Rio Ferdinand’s signing from West Ham United earlier this century. It is believed Leeds paid around £27 million.
Capable of playing down the middle or on the wing, Rodrigo put pen to paper on a four-year deal, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2023-24 season.
This is Leeds’ biggest signing of the transfer window so far, but Marcelo Bielsa will be hoping for several more first team additions before the season kicks off next month. Another striker could come in and a centre-back is a clear priority.
The Elland Road faithful will be excited by the arrival of Rodrigo, as they should be for a player of his calibre. Aged 29 and with some injury troubles, though, there’s reason for concern after such an outlay.
Leeds Chase Left-Back
Fulham left-back Joe Bryan has attracted the attention of several Premier League clubs, including Leeds.
Football Insider reports Leeds, Leicester City, West Brom and Newcastle are all interested in Bryan, who had a brilliant 2019-20 season for the west London club and starred in their playoff final win over Brentford.
Bryan has two years on his contract, with a team option for another season, but a new deal would be a way to put off potential suitors.
Fulham signed a new left-back this summer, Antonee Robinson, though the plan is reportedly to have Robinson and Bryan compete for first team minutes.
It’s possible Bryan pushes for a transfer with so many clubs showing an interest. He arrived at Fulham for £6 million in 2018 and the Cottagers set an asking price of £5 million earlier this summer.
Pundit Questions Koch Signing
Pundit David Prutton has delivered his verdict on likely Leeds signing Robin Koch. The Freiburg defender seems to be on his way to Elland Road, as was reported by 888sport on Friday.
Prutton said, writing in the Yorkshire Evening Post, “The first port of call is whether a player from a different country can play football in England and forgive me for being stereotypical, but we have seen with German players that they have been typically robust in English football."
The former midfielder is confident Koch will adapt to the Premier League.
“Physically they understand the demands and culturally there are differences and the nuances but fundamentally there is not a huge chasm of difference between the two cultures.”
Leeds fans were celebrating on Saturday morning as Rodrigo’s signing was confirmed. It might not be long before they are welcoming another big name.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo*
