Leeds United set to beat Ipswich Town to Tottenham player

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image

Highlights

Leeds United are set to sign Joe Rodon from Tottenham Hotspur.

This deal looks set to be separate from the Spurs/Gray one.

Ipswich Town were in the mix for Rodon, but Leeds look set to have won the race.

Leeds United are set to sign Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Joe Rodon, according to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook.

The Wales international's future was unclear following the Whites' play-off final defeat against Southampton back in May.

If Leeds had come out on top against the Saints, that may have made it all but inevitable that Rodon would make the move back to Elland Road, with the player doing more than enough to justify a permanent switch.

But with Leeds needing to balance the books and the player's contract expiring next year, reducing the chances of a loan deal being struck, it was uncertain whether the Championship side were going to seal a return for him.

Regardless of whether he came back or not, more depth and quality was required in central defence this summer, with Liam Cooper yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, Robin Koch moving on permanently and Charlie Cresswell set to move to France.

Diego Llorente and Max Wober's futures are also uncertain at this stage - and both could potentially move on either on loan or permanently following the Whites' failure to secure a Premier League return at the first time of asking.

Ethan Ampadu, meanwhile, may be required in central midfield next season and that could reduce the number of options that Daniel Farke has at centre-back.

Leeds United set to sign Joe Rodon

As mentioned above, it was previously unclear whether Leeds would be able to recruit Rodon after failing to secure a top-flight return in May.

However, Archie Gray looks set to sign for Spurs and that could help the Welshman seal a return to West Yorkshire, even though it won't be a swap deal.

Graham Smyth believes Rodon will be coming in permanently if he returns to Elland Road, which would be a big boost for Leeds.

They look set to beat Ipswich Town and the Saints to a deal.

Leeds United will have very mixed feelings about recent Archie Gray and Joe Rodon news

Losing Gray is a big blow and it wouldn't be a surprise if there's a very negative reaction to his departure on social media.

Considering his potential, he's arguably the last player that Leeds should be looking to sell. However, some would argue that the books need to be balanced and the sale of the teenager could help the Whites in that quest.

Even with this financial argument in mind, his departure will still be painful for Leeds fans, who would have wanted to see Gray stay at Elland Road for a considerable amount of time.

Signing Rodon is a big boost though, with his performances helping the Whites to secure a place in the promotion mix last term.

His contributions could help to win Leeds a place in the top flight at the end of next season, so this swap deal may not turn out to be a good one for Farke's side.