Leeds United have been outstanding in 2024, and they climbed to the top of the Championship table last week after beating Millwall 2-0 at Elland Road.
Defensively, the Whites have been superb, having conceded just 28 goals in 38 Championship games. They hold the best defensive record in the league, and Joe Rodon has played a massive role in it.
The Wales defender has been rock solid at the back for the Whites. The 26-year-old joined Leeds last summer on loan from Tottenham as he was looking for regular game time. Under Daniel Farke, he has proved his class, and Leeds now want to sign him permanently.
Rodon has a contract at Tottenham until 2025 and Leeds were told that he could be available for around £15m. The Whites will have a better chance of signing him permanently in the summer if they secure promotion, and they could look to negotiate a deal at a reduced price as well.
The central defender, who is currently on international duty with Wales, has dropped a subtle hint that he wants to continue under Farke.
Joe Rodon drops major hint on his future wishes
“I haven’t had much game time over the last couple of years,” Rodon said, as quoted by Yorkshire Evening Post.
“But this season, coming in, playing every minute and not looking back, yeah maybe…all I wanted was game time. Now that I’m having that it’s only going to make my confidence grow. I’m enjoying every minute and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given by the gaffer. Long may it continue.”
The last line – “long may it continue” – is a clear indication that he wants to stay at Elland Road, although he has very little control over transfer dealings. If Leeds secure promotion, you can fully expect them to meet Tottenham’s asking price.
However, if they fail to achieve their target, other Premier League clubs would fancy their chances of signing him.
Despite performing so well this season, it doesn’t look like Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is too keen to use him in the first team next season. Postecoglou recently admitted that Spurs would be looking to sign a new centre-back in the summer, which indicates that Rodon doesn’t feature in his plans.
From Leeds perspective, they must do everything to sign Rodon permanently and promotion to the Premier League would all but guarantee his signature.
In other Leeds news, Don Goodman delivers “huge” verdict on the Whites’ promotion chase on Sky Sports.
