Leeds United handed Joe Rodon transfer blow as Ipswich Town make stance clear | OneFootball

Daniel Farke is set to face stiff competition for the Tottenham Hotspur defender

Leeds United have been handed a potential blow to their pursuit of Joe Rodon, who starred on loan last term but is now the subject of an offer from Ipswich Town.

This is according to a recent update from journalist Alasdair Gold, who has revealed the Tractor Boys’ interest in securing a deal for the 26-year-old at the potential expense of Leeds.

Rodon looks set to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer, having struggled to establish himself in the first-team picture ever since arriving from Swansea City in October 2020.

After making just 15 Premier League appearances in two seasons in North London, Rodon has now spent the last two campaigns on loan away from the club, firstly with Rennes last season and then at Leeds for 23/24.

Despite being unable to make his mark in the Premier League, Rodon has consistently proved a crucial figure on the international stage and played a pivotal role in their historic qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The Swansea academy product has been an ever-present when fully fit, accruing 44 caps for the senior side since debuting in a 2-1 victory over Azerbaijan in 2019.

He was equally immovable in Daniel Farke’s defensive line at Elland Road last term as Leeds were only denied of an immediate return to the Premier League at the hands of Southampton in an intense play-off final showdown last month, which has undoubtedly weakened their ability to strike a permanent deal.

Ipswich Town make Joe Rodon transfer offer amid Leeds United transfer interest

Gold’s update reiterates that while Ipswich have launched a verbal offer for Rodon’s signature, it has not arrived in formal or written form which suggests that any potential deal still currently remains in the early stages.

But nonetheless, Premier League interest will certainly pose questions to Leeds regarding the realistic attainability of the Welshman.

It also adds that Leeds face further competition from Leicester City, who also secured promotion to the Premier League with Ipswich in the previous campaign and have recently appointed Steve Cooper following Enzo Maresca’s decision to move to Chelsea.

Cooper’s appointment at the King Power Stadium could potentially be of great significance given that the two worked together at Swansea during the 2020/21 campaign, which culminated in a play-off semi-final defeat to Brentford.

Leeds United must maintain Joe Rodon transfer interest despite competition

This fresh revelation, though undoubtedly a blow, shouldn't deter the Whites just yet.

Although Ipswich and Leicester can both offer the natural lure of Premier League football - and the financial tools to broker any such deal - Rodon developed a real affinity with the Elland Road faithful.

Leeds will hope that factor can potentially sway his mind, although Rodon's personal stance is not yet known.

But given how much of a key player he was last season, they should certainly maintain their pursuit for now and may well have money to spend following the imminent sale of Archie Gray to Tottenham, while Crysencio Summerville, Ilian Meslier and Wifried Gnonto could also collect significant fees, too.