Former Leeds United star Danny Mills hails imminent arrival of Rodrigo and assesses Ryan Kent

FORMER Whites star Danny Mills has hailed the imminent arrival of Spanish international forward Rodrigo as key to Leeds United's prospects in the Premier League.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Leeds are set to smash a club transfer record that has stood for 20 years by signing 29-year-old Spaniard Rodrigo for a fee believed to be in the region of £30m, plus significant add-ons.

The figure would dwarf the £18m that United paid West Ham United for centre-back Rio Ferdinand back in November 2000 and former Whites defender Mills feels head coach Marcelo Bielsa's newly-promoted Whites definitely needed strengthening upfront.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"When you step up to the Premier League, when you don't get as many chances, you have to be a little bit more clinical," said Mills, speaking to Sky Sports about the imminent club record signing of Rodrigo.

IMPRESSED: Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills, right, with chairman Andrea Radrizzani, centre, and chief executive Angus Kinnear celebrating the club's centenary last October. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.IMPRESSED: Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills, right, with chairman Andrea Radrizzani, centre, and chief executive Angus Kinnear celebrating the club's centenary last October. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
IMPRESSED: Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills, right, with chairman Andrea Radrizzani, centre, and chief executive Angus Kinnear celebrating the club's centenary last October. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

"You need somebody that is going to put the ball in the back of the net.

“With Bielsa’s scouting network and (director of football) Victor Orta’s Spanish connections, Rodrigo will have been a player they will have been very, very aware of in terms of his abilities and what he can do and he will certainly come in and add quality to what is there already.

“I think it’s a good move, it’s a positive move and I think you have to trust Bielsa and his team when you look at the other acquisitions that he has made.

“Up to now they have all been pretty much very very good.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rodrigo is set to become United's first new first-team signing of the summer with the Whites having already captured two of last season's loanees in goalkeeper Illan Meslier and winger Helder Costa on permanent deals.

Leeds have also re-signed Manchester City winger Jack Harrison on another season-long loan with a view to making the move permanent at the end of next season.

After signing Rodrigo, United are hoping to then land SC Freiburg's German international centre-back Robin Koch as an alternative to last season's Brighton loanee star Ben White who the Seagulls are not prepared to sell to the Whites with big-money bids already rejected.

United are also keen on Rangers winger Ryan Kent with one bid believed to be in the region of £10m having been rejected and Mills has questioned whether the acquisition of Rodrigo could mean the end of the club's quest for Kent.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"You are talking about another wide player that possibly can score goals," said Mills of Kent.

"It would still be a little bit of a gamble, he's not proven in the Premier League as yet.

"Also how much money have Leeds got to spend, how much do they want to spend?

"Do they want Rodrigo and then do they want Ryan Kent and then do they want somebody else and do they need a centre half.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Suddenly you are getting upwards north of 60, 70 million. I'm not sure Leeds want to go that far.

"They will be picky and choosy about who they sign and maybe getting Rodrigo in puts to bed the Ryan Kent deal."

Leeds have also strengthened heavily in youth this summer with the recruitment of teens Joe Gelhardt, Charlie Allen, Cody Drameh and Dani van den Heuvel.

United have also been working towards signing young Arsenal forward Sam Greenwood, another player who would start out with the club’s under-23s.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins