"Massive" - Pundit tips Leeds United for second Spurs raid beyond Joe Rodon return | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer believes Leeds United should sign Joe Rodon and Oliver Skipp, with Archie Gray moving in the other direction to Tottenham.

Southampton, Leicester City, and Ipswich Town look likely to have missed out on Spurs' Joe Rodon, with Leeds United set to sign the defender permanently in a move Carlton Palmer is impressed by, whilst also believing that Daniel Farke should look to re-sign Oliver Skipp as well.

The Welshman is in the last year of his deal with Spurs in June, meaning he could perhaps be available for a cut-price fee in the summer. Leeds did not include an option to buy in the deal, and it was always likely that he would have approaches from Premier League outfits.

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. Leeds lost to Southampton in the play-off final and Russell Martin's team are one side to have been linked recently with a move for the Wales international. On top of Southampton, it has been reported that the Spurs defender is also attracting interest from the likes of Leicester City and Ipswich Town.

However, a recent update from journalist Alasdair Gold has revealed the Tractor Boys’ interest in securing a deal for the 26-year-old at the potential expense of Leeds, with a bid knocked back for the defender. Regardless of whether he came back to Leeds or not, more depth and quality was required in central defence this summer, with Liam Cooper yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, Robin Koch moving on permanently and Charlie Cresswell set to move to France - that latter deal has collapsed, but a departure feels likely still given how far the young defender got through the exit door.

Diego Llorente and Max Wober's futures are also uncertain at this stage - and both could potentially move on either on loan or permanently following the Whites' failure to secure a Premier League return at the first time of asking. The latest comes from talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, who states that Rodon is set to return to Elland Road.

That's after recent reports from the Yorkshire Evening Post outlined positive news that the defender is reluctant to start afresh with a new club next season amid speculation over his future. It was thought that Rodon could probably be sold below market value, but that was still likely to be around the £10 million mark.

It has since been confirmed by Graham Smyth that Rodon will be coming in permanently if he returns to Elland Road, which would be a big boost for Leeds. They look set to beat Ipswich Town and the Saints to a deal for around £10 million.

Carlton Palmer reacts as Joe Rodon closes in on Leeds return

Ex-England international and former Leeds man Carlton Palmer is excited at the prospect of Rodon signing, whilst he has urged Farke to make it a double swoop from Spurs by also adding Oliver Skipp.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, he said: "With Leeds having to sell one of their prized assets in young Archie Gray, who looks to be on his way to Spurs, Leeds have to comply with the PSR deadline over the next few days.

"This would be a massive move for Leeds. Yes, they're losing one of their talented players in Archie Gray, but they will have received a huge amount of money and also brought in a player that made an impact last year with over 50 games.

"Skipp was involved for Farke when they got promotion at Norwich, and they would be a massive bit of business for the football club."

Joe Rodon's Leeds impact

Most Leeds fans will have been preparing themselves for transfer disappointment regarding Rodon this summer, so the news will come as a huge boost to the club.

The 26-year-old has just enjoyed one of the most successful loans in the entirety of the Championship with the Whites - establishing himself as one of the best centre-backs in the division, as well as a firm fan favourite in West Yorkshire, despite defeat in the play-off final.

Rodon was almost ever-present and made 50 appearances for the club in all competitions last season, with the team competing for promotion back to the top-flight at the first time of asking throughout his tenure. Rodon was part of a formidable centre-back partnership with Pascal Struijk at the heart of Leeds' defence during the first half of the campaign, and a similarly excellent one with Ethan Ampadu in 2024.

Some continuity will be needed from the Whites next season, and is especially important in the spine of the team, where relationships have been built throughout the season, both on and off the pitch. Rodon, Struijk, and Ampadu arguably gives Leeds the best defensive axis in the Championship when played together, and that is priceless.