KEY POINTS

  • Barca tried to land Rodrigo Moreno on a loan deal before the summer transfer window closed
  • Leeds was not interested in loaning out Rodrigo who has yet to hit his stride this season
  • Noa Lang is expected to be pursued by several teams next transfer window

Barcelona needed a roster of good and tested players in the transfer market, and it appears they tried to land one before the deadline.

Reports have come out that Barca tried to deal for Rodrigo Moreno of Leeds United, but the pitch was thumbed down by the Peacocks.

According to The Athletic, Barca tried to get something done to acquire the 30-year-old Brazilian from Leeds.

The move allegedly happened hours before the deadline, but the approach was labeled as “scattergun.”

With Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi no longer in the lineup as well as Sergio Aguero sustaining a serious injury, the move could have been a way to make sure that the club remains competitive.

It would have also helped buy Aguero some time as he recovers from his calf injury.

Noa Lang of Club Brugge
Noa Lang of Club Brugge Getty Images | Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency

Also, the Catalan giants were interested in a loan deal for Rodrigo. Given the situation, the Peacocks were not inclined to go that route, especially considering they spent a hefty sum to get the Brazilian into the fold.

Rodrigo is valued at £26 million ($36 million).

Aside from that, Leeds would have been unable to bring in a replacement had the loan deal involving Rodrigo fell through.

Aside from that, the deal was made only at the last minute.

Rodrigo had seven goals in 26 English Premier League appearances last season. He has played in three games so far this season but has yet to find his mark.

If not now, a deal could materialize in the future. A player linked to Leeds is Noa Lang who remains with Club Brugges.

Rodrigo Moreno Benfica
Striker Rodrigo Moreno has tested the English waters before, but was largely unsuccessful in his one-year loan to Bolton in 2010. Reuters

The 22-year-old was linked to a possible move to Elland Road, but nothing fell through. However, his manager agent insisted that the winger is open to a move away from Blauw-Zwart.

Noa has been doing well since moving to Belgium after an initial loan deal from Ajax. He has scored 14 goals and issued eight assists in 24 league outings with Brugge.

The Dutch player is valued at £5.1 million ($7 million), a fee that is now considered a bargain.

His agent claimed that Noa Lang came close to making a switch last summer but did not mention which team that almost got his client's signature.

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