Report: Leeds going all out for ‘extraordinary’ Spain international, have spoken to his father

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Leeds United are reportedly going all out in their pursuit of Rodrigo Moreno and have already spoken to the player’s father over what the 29-year-old would be after contract-wise, according to Super Deporte.

Last week, Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Whites chief Andrea Radrizzani had identified the Valencia attacker and Spain international as a key transfer target ahead of Premier League football returning to Elland Road.

With Los Che reported to be in financial difficulty and looking to reduce their operating budget ahead of next season, many of their first-team players are said to be up for sale (Marca via Football Espana).

Rodrigo registered seven goals and 11 assists in 34 appearances for Valencia last season, though he missed the final few matches of the campaign with a knee injury.

According to Super Deporte, Rodrigo has been “chosen” by Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa as a prospective attacking reinforcement and all three parties are currently in negotiations, with a 40million Euro fee (around £36million) mentioned as a “meeting point”.

In addition, the Spanish outlet has reported that the Whites have been in touch with the player’s father, former Flamengo ace Adalberto Machado, on the subject of contract demands.

It has been reported that, while Adalberto is of the opinion that Rodrigo should be going to a club challenging for titles, the player has “largely cleared his doubts”.

Rodrigo joined the Mestalla outfit initially on loan from Benfica in the summer of 2014 before moving permanently the following year for a reported 30m euro (around £27m).

To date, he has registered 59 goals and 41 assists in 220 competitive appearances for Valencia.

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While Rodrigo’s goal tally may not stand out, he is still a very talented player, as shown by prior speculation linking him to Barcelona.

Back in January, ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga trip to Valencia, former Blaugrana manager Quique Setien told Marca: “Rodrigo? I like all good players.

“He’s an extraordinary footballer, tomorrow he could give us problems and he is a key player for their team.”

Given Moreno’s talent, experience, versatility, plaudits sent his way, and even some experience in English football – he had a loan spell at Bolton a decade ago – he certainly sounds like he’d tick a lot of boxes for Bielsa.