Leeds United hailed as Premier League clubs defeated in Joe Rodon transfer battle
David Norris has credited Leeds United for how they have dealt with the Archie Gray sale and securing the permanent acquisition of Joe Rodon.
Despite losing out on teenage sensation Gray to Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds were able to strike a deal in the meantime for last season’s loanee to move in the opposite direction.
Although separate deals on paper, the exchange effectively played out as the Whites receiving £25m plus the Welsh centre-half for Gray.
Rodon played 50 times in all competitions for Daniel Farke’s side last season and was keen to rejoin despite interest from Premier League clubs.
“I think that’s a great bit of business, getting Rodon to come the other way,” Norris exclusively told MOT Leeds News.
“He was class last season, and all the fans were raving about him. There were rumoured to be clubs interested from the Premier League, so it’s a really good bit of business.
“I think it looks great on Leeds that Rodon seemed to want to come back over other clubs, and chose to come back permanently.”
Leeds United know what they’re getting
An important part of what makes the Rodon purchase a real silver lining for Leeds is that they know exactly what he will bring to the backline.
Rodon was one of Farke’s most trusted individuals last season, as the Whites finished the Championship campaign with a defence only bettered by champions Leicester City.
The 26-year-old was away in the USA when he signed the papers to make the permanent switch to Elland Road, illustrating his eagerness to get the deal over the line – albeit due in part to Leeds’ pressure to sell Gray before the PSR accounting deadline on 30 June.
The time was right for Rodon to leave Tottenham and all signs pointed towards the exit door from North London, but the Wembley heartache to Southampton could have meant the centre-half was destined for St. Mary’s instead [TEAMtalk, 30 May] – luckily for Farke, not to be the case.
The German is now prioritising maintaining as much of the nucleus of his squad as possible as promotion becomes the sole aim, with Rodon set to be an almighty part of the journey.
In other Leeds news, Graham Smyth gives his verdict on Callum O’Hare.
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