Joe Rodon future looks in fresh doubt as Leeds United eye Ousmane Diomande transfer

Joe Rodon could find himself cast aside at Leeds United if they are able to seal a deal to sign Ousmane Diomande.

The Wales international was a key component for Leeds last season, and has been ever since he made the move to Elland Road

Alongside Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, the trio have formed a formidable partnership at the heart of defence, which has been key to the Whites' recent success.

However, as always with the summer transfer window, opportunities to upgrade will emerge, and with Diomande, that may have already happened.

The Ivorian has been linked with a move to the Premier League for a while now, with Crystal Palace having also shown an interest.

And for Rodon's sake, he will be hoping that a move to Elland Road fails to materialise.

Should Leeds look to replace Joe Rodon?

Despite it being a successful campaign last term, Leeds still have several areas to improve and several players to upgrade on if they are to do so.

And Rodon is one of them.

The former Tottenham defender did little wrong last season, but his stats from the campaign showcase just how easily they could improve on him.

Rodon ranked among the bottom 20 per cent of centre-backs for his aerial duel win rate, and the bottom 36 per cent for his overall duel win rate.

He also averaged just 38 completed passes per game with a 87.4 per cent accuracy, which is inferior to Diomande's average of 68 per game with a 93.1 per cent accuracy.

How much would Diomande cost Leeds?

If Leeds are to pursue a deal for Diomande, they will have to stump up the cash.

And in all likelihood, it would have to be a club-record amount of cash for a player that was recently lauded as "superb" by his manager at Sporting, as per Opta.

The 22-year-old still has four years left on his contract, meaning that Sporting are under no pressure to sell one of their main prized assets.

As per Transfermarkt, his transfer value comes in around £36million, though any potential move is almost certain to cost in excess of that