Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Real Madrid are completing the ‘final details’ to sign Espanyol striker Joselu which will surely end their interest in Leeds United’s Rodrigo.
Romano reported via his official Twitter account that Real are expecting to complete the agreement at the beginning of next week once his international duty with Spain is completed.
Following the exits of both Karim Benzema and Mariano Diaz, Real are in the market for two new strikers this summer and were linked with a move for Rodrigo earlier this month.
Reports from Spain indicated the Leeds striker has a £3.5 million release clause in his contract after relegation, though it appears as though they have turned their attentions elsewhere.
Joselu netted 16 goals in 34 matches for relegated Espanyol in La Liga last season, finishing behind only Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema in the race for the Pichichi.
Joselu deal likely to end Real’s Rodrigo interest
With both players now well into their thirties and not likely to command much of a fee, it feels like very much one or the other for Real in terms of Joselu or Rodrigo.
It is clear that whoever they decide to bring in out of those two will play second fiddle to a new big money striker after Benzema’s exit, with Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe having been linked.
Rodrigo is expected to move on from Leeds this summer after the club’s relegation, with his wages deemed as too high for the Championship.
A move to Real, though, is now almost certainly off the cards and the likes of PSG, Brighton and Aston Villa have been linked in recent days.
Having just got back into the Spain squad after a two-year absence, no one would begrudge Rodrigo of a move back to the top-level after netting 13 goals last season.
It is likely to be the last big move of his career, but the 14-time European champions does not feel like a potential destination anymore.
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