By Wayne Veysey

21st Aug, 2020 | 7:00am

Sources: Leeds open preliminary talks to sign two strikers valued at £50m

Leeds United are working on signing two new senior strikers in time for their Premier League opener against Liverpool on 12 September, Football Insider understands.

The United board have given the green light to Marcelo Bielsa recruited a pair of front men to provide cover and competition for Patrick Bamford.

Recruitment sources have told Football Insider that Leeds have opened preliminary talks with Valencia over a deal for Spain international Rodrigo.

The newly-promoted Premier League club have also made enquiries about AC Milan spearhead Rafael Leao.

Leeds are making progress with their pursuit of Rodrigo, 29, as Valencia are looking to cash in on some of their top stars to raise much-needed funds.

The 22-times Spain international has a £30million price tag but United are hopeful of negotiating a lower fee for the proven marksman.

Prising Leao, 21, from Milan could prove more complicated as the Serie A giants have high hopes for him after his improvement in the second half of last season.

He scored six league goals from 33 matches in an encouraging debut season after his arrival from Lille for £20m last summer.

The Portugal Under-21 international was especially impressive after the lockdown, netting four times following the late-June restart.

Milan would not accept less than the fee they paid for Leao for the versatile forward, who can spearhead the attack or operate on the left or right flanks.

Marcelo Bielsa has made it clear to the United hierarchy he wants two new front men to have three orthodox centre-forward next season.

The Argentine manager was content to have just two last season, with Bamford supported by loanees Eddie Nketiah in the first half of the season and injury-ravaged Jean-Kevin Augustin in the new year.

In other Leeds United news, the club have agreed a blockbuster new deal and an announcement is imminent.