FC Barcelona had reportedly considered a deadline day swoop for Leeds United forward Rodrigo Moreno this past summer.
A recent report from The Athletic has revealed Barcelona’s plans to sign Rodrigo Moreno in the recently concluded summer transfer window. The Spanish giants had attempted to sign the Leeds United forward on deadline day, proposing a loan offer in an attempt to further bolster their offensive unit.
The move did not materialise with the Blaugrana ending up signing Luuk de Jong on a free transfer. Rodrigo was linked with a move away from Elland Road earlier in the summer as well, but the 30-year-old attacker later confirmed his wish to remain in the Premier League and fight for a place in the first team this season.
The transfer revelation comes just a day after Barcelona’s thumping 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich, where their eventual deadline day signing Luuk de Jong produced an underwhelming display in the final third, alongside his compatriot Memphis Depay.
It clearly has not been a great week for Barcelona, who have recently confirmed the injuries of Pedri and Jordi Alba. The duo joins Ousmane Dembele, Sergio Aguero and Ansu Fati in the list of absentees, leaving Ronald Koeman with very few options in the creative department.
Barcelona, therefore, will be ruing the missed opportunity of signing Rodrigo Moreno. The Leeds United forward had a significant pedigree in Spanish football, with 100 goal involvements in 220 competitive games for Valencia. He also has 25 caps to his name for the Spanish national team, scoring eight goals.
However, it is fair to point out that Rodrigo has struggled in his life in England. Since joining Leeds United last summer, the Spanish forward has failed to live up to the expectations, failing to establish himself as one of Leeds’ first-team starters.
The 30-year-old did score seven goals in his debut season in the Premier League, but he was often very inconsistent. Not to mention, he had fallen behind the likes of Raphinha, Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison in the pecking order. He is yet to register a single goal or assist in the new season so far, despite being handed three starts by Marcelo Bielsa.
It might be a warning sign for Barcelona, should they opt to return to the market for Rodrigo Moreno in January. It is quite unlikely, though, and it appears the Catalans are already aiming for bigger targets, in the form of ex-La Masia wonderkid Dani Olmo.
