Two exits are on the verge of completion at Leeds United as the team prepares for its first friendly of the summer. One-time record signing Rodrigo will end his stay at Elland Road after three years, while Rasmus Kristensen is set for a season-long loan.
Rodrigo is in Qatar applying the finishing touches to a permanent switch with Al-Rayyan, who will pay around £3.5m to £4m for the striker. While some supporters may baulk at that fee, he is 32 with one year left on his contract and carrying a massive salary Leeds needed to shift as soon as possible.
Kristensen, meanwhile, is following Diego Llorente to Roma in Serie A for the 2023/24 campaign. The Denmark international had been set to battle with Luke Ayling and Cody Drameh for minutes on the right of defence, but this move takes the sting out of that problem.
The 26-year-old has another four years to run on his contract. As with Brenden Aaronson’s, this temporary switch gives Kristensen a season away to regroup before reassessing his and United’s situation in 12 months’ time.
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Meanwhile, Daniel Farke and the bulk of the Leeds squad are in Norway ahead of this afternoon’s friendly with Manchester United. After a particularly onerous training session on Sunday, the players had Monday off before training again yesterday before flying to Oslo.
There will be a light session today before the 4pm (UK) kick-off at Ullevaal Stadion. Daniel James, who only started pre-season on Monday, is expected to be among those who get minutes.
Elsewhere, Junior Firpo, who has travelled with the squad, faces a late fitness test. The left-back has been struggling with a niggle since starting pre-season and will be assessed before a decision is made on his participation today.
