Southampton and Leeds United are two of the clubs in pursuit of Joe Rodon this summer.
Leeds are keen on bringing him back to Elland Road after the Welshman’s brilliant loan spell in 2023/24, but are going to face stiff competition from the Premier League.
Southampton, of course, pipped Leeds to the final spot in next season’s top-flight with a play-off final win at Wembley, but are also looking to rub salt in the wounds with their interest in Rodon.
They are not the only Premier League side interested in Rodon, though, with the two other newly promoted sides in Leicester City and Ipswich Town also keen.
Rodon has worked with new Leicester boss Steve Cooper before, while Ipswich may actually pull away from the race if they land ‘top target’ Jacob Greaves from Hull City.
Southampton’s pursuit of Ronnie Edwards could help Leeds
The only real advantages Leeds are going to have in the race for Rodon is how well he knows the squad, and how much he enjoyed his time at the club.
Premier League money and football is going to be difficult for anyone to turn down, but Leeds may well have just indirectly received a boost.
According to Sky Sports, Southampton have now made contact with Peterborough United over a move for very highly rated young centre-back Ronnie Edwards.
At £10m, Posh actually value Edwards at the same price as Spurs do Rodon, meaning clearly he would be someone who goes straight into the first team at St. Mary’s.
Southampton already have three right-footed centre-backs from last season’s first team squad on their books in Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens, and a move for Edwards would see him become the fourth.
With that in mind, a deal for Rodon would surely then be off the cards unless they were to let players go, meaning it is one less team for Leeds to worry about.
Graeme Bailey shares update on Leeds’ Rodon interest
As mentioned, the key to Leeds getting a deal done for Rodon is going to be based around how much he enjoyed his time at Elland Road. He has already hinted he would like to return, but that was before the loss at Wembley.
LeedsUnited.News spoke to transfer expert Graeme Bailey last week to get the latest on Leeds signing the defender and he said that while a deal will be difficult, it would be wrong to rule Leeds out of a move.
“It’ll come down to the player. It’ll be tough given the other three can offer football in the Premier League. It is going to be a tough sell for Leeds but I wouldn’t rule them out completely by any stretch.”