The Athletic has reported why Leeds United Director of Football Victor Orta was pleased when the club secured the services of Rodrigo in the summer of 2020.
Rodrigo, who can operate as a striker or as a winger, moved to Leeds from Spanish club Valencia in the summer of 2020 for a transfer fee reported by BBC Sport to be worth £26 million.
The Whites are a massive club, but they won promotion to the Premier League only at the end of last season after 16 years in the lower leagues.
As for Valencia, they are an established club in La Liga and have played in European competitions in recent years.
“Orta was pleased with that coup because it demonstrated not only Leeds’ willingness to pursue targets so high in profile but the club’s clout in actually persuading them to join, too,” states the report in The Athletic.
“All being well, a forward with Rodrigo’s attributes was likely to enhance Leeds noticeably, as Raphinha has on the right wing.”
Injury blow for Rodrigo
Rodrigo has done well for Leeds this season and has adapted nicely to the way that head coach Marcelo Bielsa likes to play.
According to WhoScored, the 29-year-old has made 12 starts and six substitute appearances in the Premier League for Leeds so far this season, scoring three goals and providing one assist in the process.
However, Bielsa has told Sky Sports that the Spain international is now injured and could be out for weeks, which is a blow for the West Yorkshire club.
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