Leeds United forward Rodrigo Moreno is ‘very’ close to becoming Victor Orta’s first signing since his appointment at La Liga giants Sevilla this week.
During his introductory press conference at the Europa League winners on Tuesday, Orta was reluctant to give anything away regarding a potential raid of his old employers.
“This is not the time to talk about proper names,” Orta said when asked about Rodrigo Moreno’s future.
Behind the scenes, however, Diario AS believe that a deal which would see Leeds United’s recently-departed director of football reunite with Rodrigo Moreno at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan is already at an ‘advanced’ stage.
Rodrigo Moreno following Victor Orta out of Leeds
AS reports that Rodrigo has agreed to join Sevilla on an initial loan deal. There is unlikely to be a purchase clause in his contract, given that the 32-year-old Spain international is due to become a free-agent during the summer of 2024.
Rodrigo, then, has all-but certainly played his final game for the Yorkshire giants.
Some may wonder why Leeds are letting Rodrigo leave on loan when he has just 12 months to run on his current deal. But even a temporary departure serves to get his £100,000-a-week wages off the books at a club under pressure to cut costs ahead of their return to the Championship.
A club-record £26 million signing from Valencia back in 2020, Rodrigo was one of Leeds’ few form players during a miserable 2022/23 campaign. He scored 13 goals in the Premier League, 15 in total, and remained a popular presence among some sections of the support due to his obvious passion and his commitment to the cause.
It remains to be seen if Orta returns for any other members of the Leeds squad. Junior Firpo, Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto are among those facing uncertain futures.
Marc Roca, meanwhile, is closing in on a deal that will see him join Sevilla’s arch rivals Real Betis.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
