The race for Joe Rodon is hotting up and Leeds United are still desperate to re-sign the Wales star, but Leeds could miss out as Tottenham eye a swap deal with Southampton
The 26-year-old was magnificent for Leeds last season having joined the club on loan from Tottenham following a difficult couple of seasons at Spurs, and then a tricky loan at Ligue 1 side Rennes in 2022-23.
Rodon clocked up over 50 appearances for Leeds as Daniel Farke’s side reached the Championship play-off final. But defeat has left The Whites in doubt over a possible move for the Wales star this summer.
Leicester, Southampton and Ipswich are all linked with a move for Rodon. Russell Martin is keen to inflict a double blow on Leeds having beaten The Whites for a third time last season in the final at Wembley.
But now, Southampton are attempting a surprise move by offering a different kind of deal.
Tottenham eye Southampton swap for Leeds target Joe Rodon
Reports emerged on Sunday that Tottenham are willing to cash in on Rodon despite triggering a clause in his contract that sees the centre-back extend his deal by a further 12 months taking him to June 2026.
Daniel Levy is willing to do business and sell Rodon if offers of £10m arrive at his door for Rodon. Aside from Southampton’s interest in Rodon, Tottenham are keen on a £30m-rated Southampton player.
The Sun (23/06, p55) claims Tottenham are keen on Southampton’s Carlos Alcaraz who spent the second half of the 2023-24 season on loan at Juventus, playing 12 times for the Italian giants in all competitions.
Issue with Rodon-Alcaraz swap deal that gives Leeds some hope
Graeme Bailey told LeedsUnited.News last week that Leeds are still well within the race for Rodon. But Tottenham want Alcaraz and Southampton want Rodon, however it is a deal that is tricker than it seems.
Southampton rate Alcaraz at a whopping £30m and with Rodon only considered a £10m player by Spurs, there will have to be some cash going into Southampton’s coffers along with the signing of Rodon.
Alcaraz is certainly an eye-catching player on the verge of winning his first Argentina cap but is he worth £30m? Levy’s not an easy negotiator and the chances of a player-plus-cash deal coming off is unlikely.
To adhere to Southampton’s wants and wishes, Spurs would have to offload £20m and Rodon for Alcaraz. A compromise could be found but the difficulty of such a deal surely hands Leeds a glimmer of hope.