Leeds United announced the signing of Joe Rodon on a season-long loan from Tottenham on Thursday and while we needed a right-sided centre-back – his arrival should convince Diogo Monteiro to go, Andrea Radrizzani is keen.
Rodon, 25, has agreed to join Leeds as our fourth signing of the summer, easing our lack of options on the right side of central defence. After Rasmus Kristensen, Diego Llorente and Robin Koch left, only Charlie Cresswell remained.
So, bringing in Wales star Rodon adds some Premier League quality to our shaky defence. But for some youngsters at Leeds, it shuts the door on a potential route into the senior side. Monteiro joined Leeds in January for a £1m fee.
The 18-year-old has featured on the bench for our first team, after playing seven times for Swiss side Servette. But the defender is yet to make his senior debut for us. Italian website Il Secolo say Radrizzani wants him at Sampdoria.
Leeds announce Rodon: Should convince Monteiro to go, Radrizzani keen
Although only a pre-season fixture, the clash against Manchester United hinted at the pecking order. Monteiro was left as an unused sub against Erik ten Hag’s side – fellow U21 centre-backs Kris Moore and Jeremiah Mullen played.
So, it means Monteiro is behind Cresswell, Rodon, Moore and Mullen in the pecking order for right-footed centre-backs. Luke Ayling and probably, Ethan Ampadu too. Rodon’s announcement simply pushes Monteiro further down.
He needs to go – even if it is on loan, and he has the interest in him in the form of Radrizzani’s Sampdoria who are now being managed by Andrea Pirlo. An incredibly exciting opportunity. Rodon’s arrival means Monteiro should go.
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