Leeds United’s hopes of signing Joe Rodon on a permanent deal or loan have suffered a significant blow with Southampton and Ipswich Town joining the race to sign the Tottenham defender. Rodon’s impressive loan stint at Elland Road last season made him a fan favorite, but Leeds now face stiff competition from Premier League clubs.
Southampton, who defeated Leeds in the Championship playoff final, have triggered a £20million deal to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Manchester City and are reportedly interested in Rodon, valued between £12-15million. Ipswich Town, another promoted side, are also admirers of Rodon, with manager Kieran McKenna a big fan.
With Rodon’s Tottenham contract entering its final year, he is likely to leave the club, and while Leeds would love to keep him, the opportunity for Premier League football elsewhere may be too enticing to resist. Although Rodon has a strong connection with Leeds, it’s uncertain whether he would reject other offers to stay at Elland Road.
While Southampton’s interest may seem surprising given their signing of Harwood-Bellis, a younger and potentially better player, Ipswich Town’s interest aligns with their style under McKenna. Leeds face a challenging task to convince Rodon to remain at the club, and it may ultimately depend on the player’s personal preferences and ambitions.