Leeds United could miss out on Joe Rodon in Jose Mourinho transfer twist
Joe Rodon could be a surprise target for new Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho in a transfer blow for Leeds United, according to Alasdair Gold.
Leeds have hopes of securing Rodon on a permanent deal after his successful loan spell at Elland Road last season, but their failure to win promotion from the Championship restricts their financial muscle to get a transfer over the line.
Football.London journalist Gold said that Mourinho is an admirer of the Welsh centre-back having signed him for Tottenham in 2020, and speculated whether he could bring him to the Turkish SuperLig this summer.
In quotes reported by WalesOnline, Gold said: “Jose quite liked Joe Rodon, I wonder if Jose would want to take Rodon to Fenerbahce where he would do very, very well.”
Leeds United face fight to sign Joe Rodon this summer
Given his exceptional performances for the Whites last season, it’s hardly surprising that Rodon is Leeds’ number one transfer target this summer [Phil Hay] – and was always going to be regardless of their league status.
A pillar of the Peacocks’ defence – the second-best in the Championship – Rodon stood out alongside both Pascal Struijk and Welsh compatriot Ethan Ampadu across 50 appearances in all competitions, and those performances have altered other clubs to his talents.
Tottenham, anticipating a coming transfer battle, extended the centre-back’s contract by a year to guarantee a fee for him, a move which could give Leeds the chance to secure another loan for the 26-year-old [Football.London].
If interest in a permanent deal comes from Mourinho and Fenerbahce, Rodon may swerve a second season at Elland Road in favour of a move to Turkey, and the potential of Champions League football that would come with it.
Leeds will do their utmost – within their potentially strict financial fair play limitations [Kieran Maguire] – to either loan or buy Rodon this summer, but it looks like they’ll be far from the only interested party.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have set their asking price for Charlie Cresswell after a transfer decision was made
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