Rodri contract upgraded; Sandro to Villarreal, and Pedraza watch update

Rodrigo Hernandez, as Coach Escribá commented this morning, is the player Villarreal sees as the future Bruno Soriano, so it’s not surprising Rodri’s contract is being reworked. No details have been given, but obviously his release clause will be increased significantly, as well as his salary

He’s only 20; as a reminder, he spent his youth playing for Atletico Madrid’s youth sides from 2007 to 2013, but was released due to a “lack of physical strength” at age 17. He joined Villarreal after that, moved through the Juvenil A and Villarreal B sides and became a linchpin of Spain’s under-19 national team before joining the first team this season.

An interesting rumor now from La Liga concerns Sandro Ramirez, who has 12 goals in La Liga for Malaga this season. Villarreal, Sevilla, Tottenham, Liverpool are all interested in his services. Sandro, you may remember, joined Malaga this June from Barcelona, apparently on a free transfer.

There appears to be some doubt as to exactly what the terms of his contract are and what his release clause is. It has been reported that his release clause is only €6m, but another report says it is €6m only if a buyback clause for Barcelona, in his current contract, remains. It would be €12m otherwise. Still, in today’s market €12m for a striker who is only 21 and is scoring in double-digits is peanuts. It’s pretty clear he is going to be on the move somewhere, if those numbers are anywhere near accurate.

Alfonso Pedraza watch: the Championship regular season has two matches remaining, and Leeds are currently three points outside the promotion places. Leeds lost their last two matches, to Wolves, while Sheffield Wednesday have won five matches in a row and Fulham four to move past them. Leeds host Norwich this Saturday and must win to realistically have a chance to make the playoffs.