Victor Orta believes that Marcelo Bielsa is thrilled with the imminent arrival of the ‘world class’ Rodrigo Moreno at Leeds United, while speaking to El Desmarque.
Andrea Radrizzani did suggest that Leeds would shatter their transfer record this summer.
But, when the owner made those ambitious claims back in June, even the most optimistic Elland Road match-goer would not have expected to see Spain’s Spain’s first-choice number nine arrive in West Yorkshire.
A financial meltdown means La Liga crisis-club Valencia have little choice but to sell their star man for a fraction of his market value in January.
And, a matter of months after Barcelona tried and failed to sign a forward described as ‘extraordinary’ by Quique Setien, Goal reports that Rodrigo is on his way to Leeds.
At £25 million, the one-time Bolton Wanderers loanee will become the biggest signing in the club’s 100-year history, while giving the Premier League newcomers the clinical finisher they are crying out for.
No wonder Bielsa has a smile on his face.
“Bielsa is very happy. He wanted to make that leap in quality and, when we raised the possibility (of signing Rodrigo), it took him 30 seconds to ask; ‘but is it possible?’ And he did not hesitate (to say he wanted the striker),” Orta explains.
“It is the most important and most expensive signing in the history of Leeds. I want to thank the president (Radrizzani). I thank the father and the player trusted in the project from the beginning.
“We thank Valencia, who have behaved very well. For us it is a strategic signing which shows what we want – which is to establish ourselves in the Premier League. “
“It has been an absolutely fair negotiation in every way. I have been in football for 16 years and it is one of the first times that I see the three parties very happy with the agreement. We are all very happy.
“We received a world-class player.”
Rodrigo was one of the hottest forwards in Europe two years ago, scoring 19 times as Valencia flirted with the title before settling for a Champions League place.
The only centre-forward chosen by Luis Enrique in his most recent Spain squad, he showed a different side to his game last season with 11 assists from a deeper role.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
