Report: Real Madrid very interested in signing Leeds target as fee drops to £22m

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Real Madrid are watching the Rodrigo Moreno situation very closely as they consider battling Leeds United for the £22 million-rated Valencia striker, according to Defensa Central.

Two years ago, after this one-time Bolton Wanderers loanee had produced the most prolific season of his career in the iconic white shirt of Valencia, none other than Kings of Spanish football came calling.

But Valencia made it clear that Rodrigo would not be swapping the Mestalla for the Bernabau – unless, of course, Real Madrid were willing to pay the £110 million release clause in his contract (AS).

That clause still exists today – though it is about as relevant now as Gareth Bale’s status in Zinedine Zidane’s squad.

According to Marca, a cash-strapped Valencia side who have put their entire first-team squad up for sale are willing to sell Rodrigo for just £22 million this summer – a fee which has Premier League newcomers Leeds planning the most ambitious of swoops for the Spain international number nine.

Sources in Madrid, however, suggest that a once-in-a-lifetime move to Real might not have passed Rodrigo by just yet though.

Intermediaries involved in the deal, and those close to the player’s father, have apparently offered the 29-year-old to the La Liga champions too.

Now, Rodrigo has a dilemma on his hands. Does he seize the chance to join arguably the biggest club in world football and risk spending a season on the bench ahead of Euro 2021 – or become the main man for a Leeds side making their top-flight return after 16 years away?

Rodrigo produced nine goals and 11 assists for an underperforming Valencia side last season, adapting impressively to a deeper role in attack.