Leeds United are expected to try and sign an £11m Premier League player this summer but Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce have been touted as a possible rival for the Yorkshire outfit.
It is expected to be a busy summer for Leeds over the next couple of months with the club in need of additions to replace those they are expected to sell, like Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto.
One area that looks like it could require additions already is central defence. Pascal Struijk should be fit for next term, but the club are yet to confirm either way if Liam Cooper will stay put at Elland Road.
The main loss in that position however, is Joe Rodon. The defender looks as if he will return to Tottenham when his loan ends at the end of the month, having played 50 times in all competitions for The Whites.
Phil Hay has made it clear that Leeds will do everything they can to try and sign Rodon again. But Spurs have activated a 12-month clause in his contract that means his deal will expire in the summer of 2026.
Fenerbahce’s Mourinho touted as Leeds rival for Joe Rodon
Mourinho has taken over at Fenerbahce in Turkey after receiving the sack at Roma earlier this year, Diego Llorente and Rasmus Kristensen among his signings in Italy while a previous one of his is defender Rodon.
Mourinho was Tottenham manager when Spurs signed “rapid” Rodon from Swansea for a fee of £11m. Now, Alasdair Gold has suggested Rodon as a possible signing for Mourinho in Turkey this summer.
“I wonder, Jose quite liked Joe Rodon, I wonder if Jose would want Joe Rodon to Fenerbahce where he would do very very well,” Gold said on his YouTube channel, as per a report from TeamTalk this weekend.
The issues Leeds have with signing Rodon this summer
The Whites have three options. Either, pay Tottenham’s asking price which is now considerably higher given Rodon’s contract has been extended by a further 12 months, with his original deal ending in 2025.
Leeds have another option which sees them save their cash, and still get Rodon. But the chances of Spurs lending them Rodon on loan seems unlikely. The 49ers may have to wait to see if Spurs get desperate.
It might be that the inclusion of an obligation for next summer, could get a deal done. The third option, is to pursue other targets but Leeds have got to go all out for Rodon first, before making that decision.