Leeds United are in a battle with Premier League sides for one of their top transfer targets this summer.
The Whites were hoping to be there themselves but were beaten 1-0 by Southampton in the play-off final at the end of last month, and now face another season of Championship football.
With the reduction in parachute payments in the second year after relegation, it always becomes more difficult for club’s financially and so a lot of the focus has been on who might leave Leeds this summer.
Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto, Archie Gray and Georginio Rutter have all been touted for exits, but chairman Paraag Marathe has been bullish in his insistence Leeds will have a strong squad next season.
Marathe has confirmed funds will be available for Daniel Farke to spend, while the lucrative Red Bull sponsorship deal is also likely to hand them extra leeway with PSR.
Transfer insider shares latest on Leeds’ pursuit of Joe Rodon
The summer transfer window does not officially open until June 14 but plenty of work will be going on behind-the-scenes in terms of recruitment.
Leeds did not make a single signing until the third week of July last summer and their slow start to the season is ultimately what proved costly. They will be eager to avoid the same mistakes.
Defence is certainly going to be an area of priority and Chelsea’s Alfie Gilchrist is someone who has been linked, but there is no doubt Leeds’ top target is Joe Rodon.
Rodon enjoyed a brilliant season on loan at Elland Road but with no option-to-buy agreed in the deal, his future is now uncertain after returning to Tottenham.
Premier League sides are taking an interest in the £11m man after such a fine season, but transfer insider Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that a permanent deal to the Whites remains a strong possibility.
He said: “It’s one they are looking at. They would like to keep him, but cost dependant, wages etc. I imagine they will see what can happen because he did well. I think he will be one in conversations now, if a deal is good enough it is possible.
“There is always a chance newly promoted teams [will take a look], but I don’t see him being particularly high on many lists. But you never know, and clubs can’t be spending £50m on every player.
“I imagine he has a bit of interest, but he enjoyed himself at Leeds so they have a fairly decent chance. The wages will be part of the conversations.”
What has Rodon said on prospect of permanent Leeds move?
Rodon was asked about the chances of him joining Leeds in the week leading up to the play-off final, and he certainly left the door open for it to happen.
The Wales international says Leeds has now become a ‘second home’ for him, but at the same time, he does have aspirations of playing at the highest level.
He said: “It would be nice to have stability and know where I am next season. I’ve always strived to get to the elite level and hopefully I can get back there with Leeds, but you never know.
“I don’t want to look too far into the future, although I do love it here and Leeds feels like a second home to me now. I’m just concentrating on giving my best and getting this club back to where it belongs.”