Leeds sign former Real Madrid and Benfica forward for club record fee

After 16 years in the footballing wilderness, Leeds United are back in the Premier League – and they’ve made a blockbuster move for Spanish hotshot Rodrigo to celebrate.

Leeds were one of the top-scoring sides in the Championship last year and had the luxury of possessing six players who contributed 5 or more goals throughout the campaign.

But lead scorer and starting forward Patrick Bamford (who banged in 16 goals last year) has had questions asked of his Premier League pedigree, with a grand total of one goal in 4 PL campaigns, across spells at four different clubs.

Thus, it makes sense that Leeds’ first transfer target post-promotion would be a proven top tier goalscorer – and it seems they’ve identified Rodrigo as their man. The former Real Madrid talent has been a reliable forward option across various European leagues for a number of years now, spending the majority of his time in the Iberian peninsula.

Having started at Madrid, he then enjoyed mixed results in Portugal with Benfica, but a switch to Spanish powerhouse Valencia in 2016 brought about a career renaissance.

Having plundered 19 goals in all competitions in 2017/18, the Brazilian-born striker made an unlikely return to the senior Spain squad (for whom he debuted in 2014), gathering 19 international caps over the following years.

Whilst his form has dipped in the last two campaigns, the signing of an experienced Spanish international with a proven record in Europe can only be a boost to Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds unit.

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"Leeds United are delighted to announce the signing of Rodrigo Moreno Machado from Valencia CF for a club record transfer fee.The 29-year-old who can operate as a winger or striker, has completed a medical and signed a four-year deal with the Whites, running until the summer of 2024. (Via: leedsunited.com)"

Leeds splash the cash – but is Rodrigo worth it?

For a newly promoted team to fork out €30 million on a soon-to-be 30-year-old forward is usually a risky venture, but Leeds fans have reasons for optimism.

Their squad was head and shoulders above the rest in the Championship, and, some may argue, better than quite a few PL teams to boot. Rodrigo represents an experienced forward option who instantly elevates a Championship attack to something better – something surely worth paying a premium for.

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Further, Bielsa’s highly fluid, dynamic attacking play can only be good for a poacher like him, and might just be what the striker needs to rekindle the attacking spark which Barcelona almost paid €60 million for only months ago.

With Leeds wanting a striker, Valencia after quick cash, and Rodrigo in need of a fresh start, this may just be a move that benefits all parties involved.

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