Permanent Joe Rodon transfer on the cards at Leeds United but Tottenham swap for Willy Gnonto a doubt
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United …
Joe Rodon has been “outstanding” this year and Leeds United are expected to investigate signing him on a permanent deal according to Paul Robinson.
The centre-back is on loan from Tottenham for the campaign and has become a regular at the heart of the defence under Daniel Farke, so the former keeper of both clubs is in favour of the 26-year-old remaining at Elland Road where he will do “extremely well”, with club and international teammate Ethan Ampadu already having made clear his hope that Rodon remains.
But with Whites attacker Willy Gnonto tipped as a potential Spurs target [Football London, 30 November] Robinson isn’t convinced the Italian international could be included in the deal because he would struggle to get into Ange Postecoglou’s team when he isn’t playing much for Farke.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News he said: “Joe Rodon’s been outstanding this year and regardless of what deals can be constructed I’d like to see him at the club permanently.
“He’s not found his level, I think that’s unfair. At Tottenham he’s given an opportunity and he’s a good centre-half, the pace that he’s got, and he’s shown in the Championship that he’s more than capable of playing at this level.
“He’s a top player. I think he’ll do extremely well in this Leeds side, whether it’s Championship or Premier League, and as far as a deal goes for him I think it’s something that the club should and will look at.
“Whether Willy Gnonto’s involved in that you don’t know. Is Gnonto of the level that could get into that Spurs team? He’s struggling to get into the Leeds team at the moment, not doing it on a regular basis.“
It seems to make sense for Rodon’s future to be at Leeds United since a move could satisfy all parties, so it may be a matter of when rather than if he is signed permanently.
Gnonto’s status is much trickier to determine given his reduced impact this season and the unsavoury stand-off earlier this season as he tried to push through a move to Everton.
Farke has been happy to accept an apology for that episode, and every indication is that the youngster has been fully committed since, but since he has struggled to get a look in ahead of Crysencio Summerville and Dan James he may well be interested if a club like Spurs asked for him to be included in the Rodon deal while they are down on numbers this winter.
But the Leeds boss is unlikely to want to lose anyone prominent in his squad during the season with promotion in the balance, so it may have to wait for the summer if the club hold off talks over the defender until then.
In other Leeds United news, a Whites return may prove impossible for the pick of the club’s loanees.