Leeds United Chat • Rodrigo
Few Spanish sources have checked up on this and while its not advanced it is a genuine link.
Marca report that Valencia would take £22mil for the 29 year old Spanish attacker and that a move to us would interest him.
We apparently would be able to afford his wages to.
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have both tried to sign the attacker within the last 12 months but couldn't agree a fee.
Atletico were quoted a fee of £55mil last summer, Real Madrid were told 2 years ago they would have to pay his £110mil buyout clause and Manchester City failed with a bid a few years ago also.
So clearly £22mil would be a bargain for him.
7 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season including a few goals and assists in the Champions League (scored the winner vs Frank Lampard). Gave him a goal contribution of a goal or assist every 131 minutes.
Has played as a winger and striker (often as a number 10 sort of player partnering Maxi Gomez).
In that role he has managed 31 goals and 24 assists in La Liga. Not eye catching goal scoring numbers but still a 1 in 3 record and a goal contribution in one of Europe's top leagues of a goal or assist every 151minutes.
Has shown he can turn up when it matters, scored goals and created goals in the quarter, semi and final of the Copa Del Rey last season.
He has been Spain boss Luis Enrique's go to man in the Euro Qualifiers, scoring 4 goals.
Clearly not a goal hanging number 9 but also clearly a talented and highly rated player.
Only issue and it is a large one, he did something to his knee end of June/ beginning of July. And it was apparently quite a nasty injury, not Izzy Brown nasty but not a few weeks with an ice pack on either.
So fitness may be an issue and given we really need players who can make an impact asap that would be a worry.