An impossible signing

Rodrigo's goalscoring record is far from what it was last season, but nothing else can be expected from a player who's been consistently expected to leave his club only to end up staying once again. The striker is bewildered after having to say goodbye to two signings that were to be important for his career.

It all started when Simeone asked for a striker in the final stretch of the summer market and Atletico got the ball rolling. Even Peter Lim, Valencia's owner, authorised the operation for Rodrigo to go through, and the club was prepared to pay around 50 million euros for the striker.

Everything was going smoothly, with Rodrigo even saying goodbye to his teammates and coach Marcelino Garcia Toral. Meanwhile in Madrid, the negotiation fell through in the last hours because Atletico could not make room for him after Correa ended up staying, and suddenly Rodrigo was forced to return to Mestalla.

It was a difficult few weeks for the player, who apologised to the fans tried his best to go on despite forces beyond his control forced him to stay. 

A few months later, Rodrigo was presented with another opportunity. Barcelona set their sights on the Spaniard as a replacement for an injured Luis Suarez, only to back out with only two days left of the transfer window. 

Valencia refused to give in after Celades itself admitted that the transfer was wide open. Rodrigo was fully expected in fact, even went to Barcelona to see Dr. Ramon Cugat because of his injury when he was not called up for the Copa del Rey. Rumours were rampant.

However, Valencia asked for a mandatory purchase option and 60 million euros, a figure that Barcelona considered too high. Therefore, the CEO Óscar Grau and Barcelona sports director Eric Abidal decided to end negotiations.

Two frustrated signing attempts for Rodrigo Moreno, who's feeling the strain of such events and has even suffered a dip in his career, not to mention his relationship with Valencia's fans.