Jose Mourinho claims to divert £15m deal to sign Leeds target for Fenerbahce

Jose Mourinho could break Leeds United hearts by helping Fenerbahce win the race for Tottenham Hotspur defender Joe Rodon, a journalist has revealed.

Mourinho was in charge of Tottenham between November 2019 and April 2021. He was brought in to help Tottenham end their long wait for silverware, but remains the only club where they have not won a trophy. After 44 wins from 86 games as manager, Mourinho was eventually sacked as the club fell to seventh in the Premier League and were kicked out of the Europa League.

The timing of Tottenham’s decision to sack Mourinho caused a stir as it came shortly before the League Cup final against Manchester City.

The north London side were managed by caretaker boss Ryan Mason in the final, although they lost the match at Wembley 1-0.

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Mourinho went on to manage Roma between July 2021 and January 2024, helping the Italian giants win the Europa Conference League in 2022 and reach the Europa League final the following season.

The serial winner was recently announced as the new boss of Fenerbahce. He has already quashed rumors of a reunion with any of his former Roma players, while also recommending Fenerbahce re-sign Arda Guler on loan from Real Madrid.

According to reporter Alasdair Gold, Mourinho could cause shockwaves with his summer signings by raiding Spurs for Rodon.

“I wonder, Jose liked Joe Rodon quite a bit, I wonder if Jose would want to take Joe Rodon to Fenerbahce where he would do really well,” Gold said during a recent podcast appearance.

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Mourinho turning to Rodon would leave Leeds United bitterly disappointed. The centre-back spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Elland Road and played a crucial role in Leeds’ journey to the Championship play-off final, where they were beaten by Southampton.

Sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk that Leeds remain keen to sign Rodon permanently despite failing to secure promotion.

With the Welshman valued at £12-15m, Leeds would need to sell players before they could re-sign Rodon. But they are willing to do just that, having identified him as a key arrival to stage a new promotion.

Leeds must be wary of Mourinho, however, as Fenerbahce can offer the 26-year-old Champions League football and regular chances of winning major trophies in Turkey.

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