Victor Orta reveals Bielsa thoughts as Rodrigo flies in to seal Leeds move

Rodrigo Moreno

Leeds United sporting director Victor Orta has confirmed the club are on the brink of signing Valencia striker Rodrigo Moreno.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men appear to have acted quickly after news broke on Tuesday morning that they were in negotiations for the 29-year-old.

The Whites have identified attack as an area of priority in this summer’s transfer window. Bielsa wants support up top for Patrick Bamford after Jean-Kevin Augustin’s failed loan move.

After chairman Andrea Radrizzani and Orta flew to Spain on Tuesday, it was revealed that a deal worth an initial €30m has been struck.

Valencia then posted an emotional farewell to their player on Tuesday evening.

n the post, they wrote: “Valencia CF have reached a preliminary agreement with Leeds United this Tuesday for the transfer of footballer Rodrigo Moreno. This is at the expense of completing all the documentation and other formalities and passing the medical.

“Valencia CF want to thank Rodrigo Moreno for his commitment and effort over the last six seasons – in which he helped to win a Cup title. We wish him all the best in this new stage of his career at Leeds United.”

Leeds themselves had maintained their silence over the prospective deal.

But now Orta has spoken to the Spanish press on the impending deal – which will rise to €35m.

“He is the most expensive signing in our history,” Orta told Plaza Deportiva.

“I want to thank the club, Rodrigo’s father and the player. They have trusted us from the beginning. We have ambition to grow and we must thank Valencia, they have behaved very good. Hopefully we finish the documentation. For us it is a strategic signing to stabilise ourselves in the Premier League.

“It was a fair negotiation. I have been in football for 16 years and it is one of the first times that I see the three parties very happy.”

Given an insight into the thinking of Leeds coach Bielsa, he added: “We received a world-class player and Bielsa is very happy after knowing that it was possible to sign Rodrigo.”

Rodrigo is now on his way to Leeds to finalise personal terms though these are not expected to be difficult.

The Spain striker is expected to sign on the dotted line before the end of the week on a reported contract worth £100,000 a week.

 

Chambers linked with Leeds

Calum Chambers

Leeds are likely to turn their focus to strengthening their defence once a deal for Rodrigo has been finalised.

The club are expected to bid on Freiburg’s Robin Koch later this week.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will sell Callum Chambers for the right price this summer. TEAMtalk understands Leeds are ready to fight Fulham for his signature.

The 25-year-old has been told by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta that he is not in his long-term plans and is free to leave.

The Gunners are looking to balance the books having signed Pablo Mari permanently. They’re also on the brink of capturing Gabriel Magalhaes in a £27m deal.

As such, Arsenal have made it clear to Chambers that he can move on with a price of around £12m placed on his head. The Gunners also made it clear they would like to sell, rather than loan Chambers out. As far as Arteta is concerned, Chambers’ Arsenal career is over.

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