Summary
In the Tottenham transfer sweepstakes, Southampton has joined Leeds United.
Joe Rodon has recently concluded an exceptional season on loan at Leeds United, following a transitory departure from Tottenham Hotspur.
The Welsh international has established himself as a prominent figure in the EFL during his previous tenure at Swansea City. He recently regained his form at Elland Road under the guidance of Daniel Farke, after failing to establish himself in the first-team picture under multiple managers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Nevertheless, Leeds were unable to regain their Premier League status at the first attempt, despite the exceptional individual season he had in West Yorkshire. A poor run of form at the end of the regular Championship season resulted in a six-point deficit to Ipswich Town in second place, and they ultimately lost the Play-Off Final to Southampton at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
This has resulted in significant uncertainty regarding the central defender’s future employment. Nevertheless, recent reports have the potential to provide United with a lifeline.
Joe Rodon is contemplating his next course of action in anticipation of a critical summer.
This is due to a report from TEAMtalk, which indicates that the 26-year-old is presently in the process of evaluating the next phase of his career, mere days after appearing in United’s Wembley loss.
The club has explicitly expressed its intention to make Rodon’s temporary relocation from North London permanent, according to sources close to the publication. They are expecting to negotiate a solution when the transfer window formally opens in the coming weeks.
Burnley had expressed interest in acquiring his services, according to the claim; however, the Clarets were reportedly excluded from the conversation due to their immediate return to the Championship.
Additionally, to further exacerbate Leeds’ frustration, it has been asserted that Russell Martin’s team could potentially compete with them in an opportunity that could provide Rodon with consistent first-team football in the Premier League, following his 50 appearances across all competitions this season.
| Joe Rodon’s 2023-24 Leeds United Championship Stats | |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 43 |
| Average Rating | 7.19 |
| Clean Sheets | 17 |
| Interceptions per Game | 1.2 |
| Tackles per Game | 1.1 |
| Balls Recovered per Game | 4.2 |
| Dribbled Past per Game | 0.2 |
| Clearances per Game | 4.5 |
| Duels Won per Game | 4.7 |
| Stats Correct As Per Sofascore | |
The South Coast side, who regained their top division status alongside Leicester City at the first time of asking, may also be interested in headhunting Daniel James, as TEAMtalk also disclosed just days ago.
Tottenham will be seeking a fee of £12 million to £15 million for Rodon, while Leeds is seeking to secure the necessary funds to do so, despite recent concerns regarding the financial situation at Elland Road.
Joe Rodon’s present circumstances
It is unsurprising that other clubs, in addition to Leeds, are keeping an eye on the 45-year-old Wales international’s situation. He has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance in a back four that has been occasionally unsettled for the Whites.
Rodon has been a part of Leeds’ center-back pairing this season, where he has played alongside a variety of players, including his compatriot, Ethan Ampadu, Pascal Struijk,, and Liam Cooper.
Football Insider reported that Leeds had an option to purchase Rodon if they were able to secure promotion prior to the commencement of the play-offs. It is evident that this is no longer a factor.
Given the performances of Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven, it is exceedingly unlikely that the defender will force his way into Ange Postecoglu’s first team. Consequently, it is comprehensible that Spurs are considering the forthcoming window as an opportunity to generate a modest profit, as they acquired Rodon for an estimated £11 million in October 2020.
Leeds United may be required to transfer in order to acquire.
As anticipated, numerous prominent figures have already been associated with departures from Leeds.
Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Liverpool have all been mentioned as potential destinations for Crysencio Summerville’s departure, with a reported fee of £35-40 million. In the interim, FootballInsider has reported that Wilfried Gnonto is once again the subject of substantial interest.
Kieran Maguire had asserted that Leeds is responsible for approximately £190 million in outgoing payments to other clubs. This situation may require resolution prior to the targeting of incomings.
Nevertheless, chairman Paraag Marathe has not entirely disregarded that possibility; however, he has reassured his supporters that it is not as extreme as had been previously suggested.
The club will undoubtedly reap financial benefits from a new agreement that will see Red Bull become a minority stakeholder in the club. Consequently, it is impossible to exclude the possibility of a permanent transfer for Rodon, despite the prospective interest from the top tier.