Leicester City are closing in on the appointment of former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper as their new manager, which could be bad news for Leeds United.
The Foxes had appeared as though they were set to name Graham Potter as Enzo Maresca’s replacement on Tuesday evening following the Italian’s move to Chelsea.
However, a dramatic turn of events this morning has now seen Cooper emerge as the frontrunner, with a deal thought to be close to completion, as per the Daily Telegraph.
Leeds and Leicester had spent the majority of last season fighting against one another for a place in the Premier League, and in the end it was the Whites who missed out.
And while Leeds will not be coming up against Leicester again next season, the appointment of Cooper could have a knock-on effect when it comes to their transfer business.
Cooper’s stance on bringing Leeds target Joe Rodon to Leicester
With the window now five days old, it is no secret that Leeds’ main priority at this stage is to try and secure a return to Elland Road for former loanee Joe Rodon.
Rodon enjoyed a brilliant campaign on loan from Spurs last season but after Leeds’ failure to win promotion, it has thrown a deal into major doubt.
Leeds are still expected to try and complete a deal for the Welshman, but are going to face competition from Premier League sides, who could outdo the Whites financially.
Ipswich Town had appeared to be the biggest competitors for Rodon, with Kieran McKenna a huge fan of the 26-year-old, though Hull City’s Jacob Greaves is said to be their top defensive target. Southampton have also been linked.
However, according to Team Talk, Cooper’s appointment in the East Midlands could well be bad news for Leeds as he is ‘understood’ to be keen on making him his first signing.
Cooper is a fellow Welsh compatriot of Rodon’s and has worked with him before during his time in charge at Swansea City earlier in his managerial career. Previous front-runner for the job Potter had also been keen on signing him.
Rodon likely to be the key player in transfer saga
Ultimately, the chances of Leeds actually being able to sign Rodon this summer are going to depend heavily on what he actually wants to do.
Rodon spoke towards the end of the season about how happy he has been at Elland Road but he is now at the age where he may want to test himself at the top. He has nothing more to prove at this level.
Leeds will need to simply hope that Rodon looks at it from the perspective of being part of a promotion winning side is the best way to get there.
That said, if Premier League finances do come calling, there may not be anything Leeds can do.