Carlton Palmer has claimed that Leeds United could decide to make a move for Liverpool’s Nat Phillips over Joe Rodon this summer as the Tottenham man could prove to be too expensive for the Championship side.
Rodon has excelled on loan at Elland Road this season and with the centre-back having just one year left on his contract at Tottenham, it looks certain that he will leave the Lilywhites permanently this summer.
Over the last couple of months, it has been reported that the centre-back’s displays have altered several top-flight sides and that Leeds would have to compete with various Premier League clubs for the 26-year-old, who is thought to be valued at around £12m to £15m (TEAMtalk).
However, the Championship club are allegedly not prepared to give up without a fight, with various sources suggesting that the Welshman will be their number one target if they win promotion (Peter O’Rourke – Inside Track podcast).
However, a few days ago, Yorkshire Evening Post claimed that Daniel Farke’s men are now plotting a move for Phillips, who has impressed on loan at Cardiff City this season.
Leeds United may not be able to afford Joe Rodon
Palmer believes there is truth to reports crediting Leeds with an interest in Phillips, with the pundit suggesting that the club see the 27-year-old as a cheaper alternative to Rodon.
The former Leeds midfielder told Football League World: “Leeds United have stated they’re currently very interested in Nat Phillips. The Liverpool man is currently on loan at Cardiff City, and has struggled for game time at Liverpool, so he’s been going out on loan on a regular basis.
“It’s clear that Joe Rodon, who is on loan at Leeds United from Spurs, has done very well, and Leeds would like to sign Rodon. But what they’re doing currently is looking at alternatives, and it’s believed that whether they’re promoted or not they’ll still be keen on signing Phillips and, of course, he is currently playing in the Championship, so if Leeds didn’t go up, he’d be a good option to play in the Championship.
“It’s a very difficult one. Leeds United are in an intense race for that automatic second promotion spot between themselves and Ipswich. If they miss out, they’ll go into the playoffs, so it’s difficult for the manager to plan for next season. He has to try and plan for life in the Premier League, and life in the Championship.
“It’s very difficult, and they’re being linked with a lot of players. I don’t think that Leeds United could afford Joe Rodon with the money that Spurs are asking unless they’re in the Premier League, whereas Nat Phillips could be afforded whether they’re in the Premier League or not, so promotion or not, the manager has said that Phillips would be a player that he would want to sign.”
Spurs Web Opinion
There is now a very real chance that Leeds will fail to win promotion, which is perhaps why they are identifying alternatives to Joe Rodon. The Tottenham man is not going to have any shortage of suitors from the top flight, given how well he has done at Elland Road this season.
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