BBC pundit Jon Newsome has claimed that one of Leeds United‘s main priorities in January should be to permanently secure the services of central defender Joe Rodon.
The Wales international joined the Peacocks on loan during the summer transfer window from Tottenham Hotspur, having spent all of last season in France with Rennes, moving to Ligue 1 at the same time as international teammate and current Cardiff City star Aaron Ramsey.
The centre-back has been integral to Leeds United’s superb start to the campaign as Daniel Farke’s side are currently sitting third in the Championship and are hunting down Ipswich Town and Leicester City in the automatic promotion places.
In 20 matches in England’s second tier, the Whites have kept seven clean sheets. Only West Bromwich Albion and Leicester have more this term. One of Leeds’ clean sheets came away from home on Saturday afternoon against Blackburn Rovers.
Rodon put in a superb display at Ewood Park, making seven clearances and one interception while winning four tackles and four ground duels. Furthermore, the Spurs loanee boasted a 90% passing accuracy, according to Sofascore.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after the match, former Leeds player Newsome stated that his old club should try and make the move a permanent one this winter, although the pundit admitted that it could be costly [quotes via Leeds United News]:
“Yeah, that would be one of my aims for the January window. I just think you need to secure him. I think he’s shown more than enough that he’s a quality player. Whether Tottenham would allow him to leave, I don’t know. That’s another question, but you’ve got to go and ask that question haven’t you,”
“Big question really. From this side of the fence, if you rang Tottenham up today and asked them for a number, I think they’d come out and say something like £20 million. I really do.”
Writer’s View
Farke recently confirmed that Spurs failed to add a return clause in Rodon’s loan deal, meaning the London outfit are unable to recall the defender once the transfer window opens despite the club enduring an injury crisis at the back as of late.
Nevertheless, given his spectacular form at Elland Road, Ange Postecoglou may be hesitant to let the centre-half leave permanently, which would be similar to Ben White’s situation three years ago.
