Real Madrid 'considering £3m move for Leeds United forward Rodrigo'

Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing a cut-price summer move for Leeds United forward Rodrigo.

Los Blancos have lost Karim Benzema to Al-Ittihad, while Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz will all officially leave the club when their contracts expire later this month.

As a result, the Spanish giants need to rebuild their attack, with a big-money addition is expected to be made, in addition to a couple of low-cost options in the final third of the field.

Espanyol's Joselu continues to be heavily linked with a loan move to Bernabeu, but according to journalist Arancha Rodriguez, Rodrigo has also emerged as an option for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Rodriguez claims that there is a relegation release clause in the forward's contract at Leeds, which makes him available for €3.5m (£3m) during the summer market.

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The 32-year-old enjoyed a productive campaign for the Whites, scoring 15 goals and registering two assists in 35 appearances in all competitions.

Rodrigo found the back of the net on 13 occasions in the Premier League, but he was unable to prevent Leeds from being relegated to the Championship for the 2023-24 campaign.

The Spaniard has a contract at Elland Road until next June, but he is widely expected to leave this summer.

Rodrigo started his professional career at Real Madrid, although he did not make a first-team appearance for the capital giants, turning out for Real Madrid Castilla before leaving for Benfica in 2010.

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The forward spent the 2014-15 campaign on loan at Valencia before joining Los Che on a permanent basis, and he spent five seasons with the club before moving to English football in 2020.

Rodrigo had a record of 59 goals and 41 assists in 220 appearances for Valencia, including 38 goals and 33 assists in 172 outings in Spain's top flight.

The forward has also enjoyed a productive spell with Leeds in terms of goals, scoring 28 goals in 97 appearances, with 26 of those strikes coming in 88 Premier League outings.

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane is thought to be Real Madrid's leading target in the final third of the field, although Spurs remain hopeful of keeping hold of the England captain.