Joe Rodon transfer bid rejected by Tottenham with Leeds United his preferred destination
Ipswich Town had a £10million bid for Joe Rodon rejected with the defender's "preferred destination" being a return to Leeds United, according to Alasdair Gold.
The Football.London journalist said on the outlet's Spurs podcast on 1 July that the Welshman had Premier League interest from both the top two from last season's Championship as Leicester were interested as well.
But he is headed back to Elland Road for a fee similar to what Spurs turned down from Portman Road in an effective cash-plus-player transfer as Whites star Archie Gray heads to North London [The Athletic, 1 July].
Gold said that Rodon "absolutely loves" Leeds United after spending last season on loan there, and his presence at Tottenham appears to have eased the negotiations over Gray after the teenager's proposed move to Brentford collapsed [Guardian, 30 June].
Leeds United academy star Archie Gray heads to Spurs
It was always going to be impossible to guarantee any player would remain in Daniel Farke's squad this summer after the failure to gain promotion back to the Premier League but losing Gray is a major disappointment all the same.
There was more of an acceptance that the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto would need to be sacrificed and replaced but the jewel from the academy looked like he could stay on for another attempt at getting out of the Championship.
Ultimately money talks and therefore it has to be some consolation that Rodon is heading back to West Yorkshire after an excellent campaign on loan.
He appears to have been the key that helped unlock the sale of Gray after the sudden saga which saw Brentford start a medical for the teenager only for the Whites to then reject their bid.
It will likely only strengthen Rodon's bond with the Elland Road support that he wanted to return over a chance to play in the Premier League, although as Gold speculated the 26-year-old might see Leeds as a stronger long-term bet given the potential for a points deduction at Leicester.
Gray's exit is an unwelcome development this summer whichever way it is looked at, but a return for Rodon is at least something of a silver lining, even if it may be that the terms of the transfer aren't as lucrative as might have been hoped.
In other Leeds United news, an update has emerged on two more loanees returning after exercising exit clauses a year ago.
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