SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Saints players huddle during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St Mary's Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Southampton have emerged with transfer interest in Leeds United target Joe Rodon.
According to Teamtalk, the Saints are eyeing the 26-year-old this summer as they look to bolster their first team squad.
Russell Martin’s side gained promotion to the Premier League, so will be hoping to build a team capable of maintaining their place in the division long-term.
This development will come as a big blow to Leeds, and will be the last thing supporters wanted to hear after their play-off disappointment last month.
The Whites suffered a 1-0 loss to the Hampshire outfit at Wembley Stadium, that could now also cost them in the race to sign the centre-back on a permanent basis.
Leeds United’s Joe Rodon interest
It has been reported that Leeds are interested in signing Rodon this summer after he spent the year on loan at Elland Road.
The Welshman proved a successful loan signing, joining from Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the summer after a difficult time with the London club.
Game time proved limited with Spurs, and it was apparent that the defender was not part of Ange Postecoglou’s plans for the first team squad.
The drop down to the Championship was a risky move to take, but it paid off quite well for Rodon, who performed excellently for Daniel Farke’s team.
It came as no surprise when reports first emerged that the Whites held an interest in completing a permanent move for the player.
He offered a solidity at the back throughout the campaign, and his comfort in possession also made him a good stylistic fit for Farke’s preferred brand of football.
Rodon was a consistent presence in the side, featuring 43 times in the Championship and proving crucial to their promotion push (all stats from Fbref).
Even with the disappointment of failing to reach the Premier League at the first attempt, it still makes perfect sense for the Yorkshire outfit to seek a permanent solution to Rodon’s future, as long as they can afford it.
A move away from Spurs this summer is almost guaranteed at this stage, but it now appears the worst could happen for Leeds.
