Rodrigo's future lies at Leeds United despite a frustrating first season at Elland Road, according to The Athletic's Phil Hay.

The Whites snapped up the 30-year-old from Valencia back in August, spending a club-record £26m on the forward's services in what was an eye-catching piece of business.

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Unfortunately, fitness problems and patchy form have limited Rodrigo to just 12 starts in the Premier League this season, with only three goals coming his way in the division.

Hay gives update on Rodrigo's future

Despite this,  the Spain international doesn't look like leaving Leeds any time soon, if the reliable Hay is to be believed.

Speaking on The Phil Hay Show podcast [via This Is Futbol], he claimed that Rodrigo's future belongs at Elland Road, even though his first season has been far from ideal so far:

"You’re going to see Rodrigo come back gently and gradually in this period. He wasn’t in the Spain squad this week, he’s missing from that. And obviously, the Euros are coming around, so this is a pretty critical period for him.

"I think there probably will be some underlying frustration with how his first season has gone, because he can’t quite get into that groove where he’s impacting on the game every week.

"I think he’s perfectly happy at the club. I don’t get the sense that he hasn’t settled in England or hasn’t settled in Leeds, but it’s been almost impossible for him to settle properly into the starting lineup because he’s been in and out too much."

Transfer Tavern take

It is a refreshing update from Hay, with Rodrigo's pedigree undeniable despite failing to set the world alight since his arrival last year.

If he can avoid injury and find a rhythm in the team, there is no reason why he can't flourish, considering he has eight goals in 25 caps for Spain, at a ratio of roughly one goal every three matches.

Rodrigo finding his best form can only make Leeds stronger moving forward, providing more quality and competition for places.

In other news, Leeds have their ended their interest in one 'big six' player - find out who it is here.