Despite having to drastically alter their summer plans following Championship playoff heartache, Leeds United is still eager to bolster their roster before the new campaign begins.
Leeds is expecting a fire sale.
Following their miserable play-off record, Leeds United’s 1-0 loss to Southampton at Wembley guaranteed them a spot in England’s second division for another season. This is expected to have a negative impact on their transfer market.
The situation at Elland Road appears dire as Daniel Farke’s team still owes £73.5 million this summer in unpaid transfer fees from their days as a premier league team. It has been suggested that they may need to generate up to £100 million through player sales.
Championship player of the year Crysencio Summerville is the most likely to depart, and as the Yorkshire team looks to balance its books, players like Wilfried Gnonto and Archie Gray have also been mentioned as possible sales targets.
Many returning loanees, like Jack Harrison, Marc Roca, Max Wober, Diego Llorente, and Rasmus Kristensen, are also under question as they prepare to rejoin the team after stints away from it.
Nevertheless, Leeds is still eager to create their own transfer plans in spite of the current unpredictability, and they are currently expected to make one specific move.
Leeds feels they have a chance to win the Rodon race.
This is because, even though they will be playing in the second division next season, Leeds is still eager to make Joe Rodon’s loan move permanent. The Welshman, who plays for Tottenham but spent the year at Elland Road, is a fan favorite and a vital member of Farke’s defense this year.
Former Leeds player Jon Newsome called him “outstanding” back in September following a particularly strong showing against Millwall.
“Superb. Exceptionally good. For me, Joe Rodon was the star of the show. He was all over everything. He truly was of a different class, Newsome said to BBC Radio Leeds.
Despite interest from top level teams and an eight-figure price tag of between £10-15 million, he went on to accumulate 43 appearances. According to Leeds Live, those at Elland Road are still hopeful that they can win the race for his services.
Although there have been rumors of interest from clubs that can offer Premier League football, the dependable Phil Hay has also encouraged Leeds to attempt to keep him beyond this summer, acknowledging that the club should be doing everything to “get it done”.
“I honestly would be shocked if they didn’t give Rodon another chance. What matters is what his options are, according to Hay.
“He might be worth a shot if you looked at him this season and were a bottom-of-the-league team or a team that has just been promoted. The money you would have to spend for him, by Premier League standards, isn’t tremendous.
“Tottenham usually haggles a lot, but he’s been so solid and good this season that you should definitely get him back so he can play center back, get it done.”
Rodon appears to have fit in well at Elland Road, and if Leeds are able to hold onto him, he might be the one to assist them return to the top flight the following season, but it will probably depend on his personal goals.
