Rodrigo arrives in Yorkshire as Leeds United set to secure £27m club record transfer

The marquee arrival of the Valencia striker for a reported fee of £27m plus add-ons would significantly eclipse the previous record outlay of £18m paid out to bring Rio Ferdinand to the club in November 2000.

Rodrigo, 29, who spent a brief loan spell in England at Bolton Wanderers in 2010-11, underwent a medical in Spain on Wednesday morning ahead of flying to Yorkshire – after a deal was agreed in principle the previous evening.

Following completion of all the relevant documentation and barring any late hitches, Rodrigo is likely to officially become a Leeds player shortly.

The game-changing transfer would represent a hugely significant one in the modern-day history of Leeds, preparing for their return to the Premier League after a 16-season absence and sporting director Victor Orta has professed the club’s excitement at landing a ‘world-class’ player.

That sense of satisfaction is also shared by Marcelo Bielsa, according to Orta – with working alongside United’s revered Argentine head coach known to be a key consideration in Rodrigo’s decision to head to England.

Speaking ahead of the completion of the deal in Spain, Orta said: “He (Bielsa) is very happy. He wanted this leap of quality and when I put this name in the table, he took one minute or 30 seconds to ask if that was possible and here we are.

“We could make it and we hope we finalise it all as that is most important.

“I have been in football for 16 years and this is one of the first times that I see the three parts very happy and this makes me very proud.

“We are all very happy and obviously we receive a world-class player and we are very excited.

“It is true that this is the most expensive signing of Leeds’s history.

“I would like to thank my president Andrea Radrizzani, and our director Angus Kinnear that believed in all of this.

“I would (also) like to thank the player and the player’s father that believed the project since the start and that allowed us to present what we are.”

Meanwhile, Ben White’s agent has confirmed that the classy defender will not be returning to Leeds, while revealing that conversations are being held regarding his future at Brighton.

The defender had an outstanding loan spell at Elland Road last season, playing every minute of every game as Leeds won the Championship title in a campaign to savour.

Bielsa wanted the 22-year-old to return this term, with the player being the club’s number one defensive target, but Brighton have steadfastly refused to discuss a deal with Leeds and rejected several offers.

White has also been linked with several other top-flight sides including Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United and White’s agent Alex Levack offered a cryptic ‘watch this space’ when speaking about his future on Sky Sports News.

“Unfortunately for the Leeds fans, Ben is just not going to be coming to Leeds,” Levack said.

“Brighton have categorically said there is no way that they are going to sell to Leeds. Unfortunately, that is the case.

“Ben’s away up in Scotland with the Brighton team for pre-season, getting himself fit and around the team.

“But there is a lot of conversations happening. I would say watch this space over the next few days.”

Owing to the situation regarding White, United have been forced to switch to alternative options and have targeted a move for Freiburg centre-half Robin Koch. Like White, Koch, 24, is also able to operate in a defensive midfield role, with his versatility being an added attraction to Bielsa.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you

James Mitchinson