Leeds United will be tired of the familiar trio by transfer deadline day as they bank on selling the whole

Twelve months ago, Leeds United were feeling the full weight of relegation in the transfer market. That loss of Premier League status and its financial impact has not only triggered a number of release clauses, but also a cavalcade of agents knocking on Angus Kinnear’s door for exits and a host of English clubs with a sudden advantage on market.

The loan clauses had taken matters out of United’s hands in one respect, but trying to find replacements was perhaps even more frustrating. Not much can be done about contractual clauses, but open market actions and deals have yielded results Kinnear, Paraag Marathe and Nick Hammond knew could have an impact.

Unfortunately for them, top-flight football is a very challenging factor that they could not compete with last summer. Not even this summer, for that matter. In 2023, it felt like United’s transfer fate was inextricably linked to the Bournemouths, Luton Towns, Nottingham Forests and Burnleys of this world.

READ MORE: Spurs name Joe Rodon as Leeds United prepare for Premier League transfer battle

Every club that avoided relegation or was promoted in 2023 seemed to be interested in players that Leeds like or United players trying to get out of Elland Road. It turns out it’s a small world over this Premier League-Championship divide.

Everton snapped up Jack Harrison and had an interest in Rodrigo. Bournemouth took Tyler Adams and eventually Luis Sinisterra. Cherries would have turned Max Aarons’ head at the 11th hour of his meeting with father figure Daniel Farke.

Ryan Giles is someone who Leeds had on a long list last summer who eventually ended up at Luton, while in January Daiki Hashioka was another defender who took Leeds’ fancy. The Japanese would be injured in January and delay the Whites, but Luton would pick him up before the winter window closes.

It’s a variety of deals that sum up the small pool of players many of these clubs are looking for at the bottom of the top tier and top of the second tier. It’s likely to be a similar story this summer and one that will once again see Leeds trying to turn heads away from the bright lights.

The revelation at the weekend, from our sister site Football.London, that Joe Rodon has already become a target for the Championship’s three promoted sides came as no surprise. On one hand, you can understand why Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton would want to take arguably the best centre-back in the league with them.

Taking a player after seeing him excel up close is one of those sensible decisions that many fans crave. On the more petty side, it is appalling and predictably one-dimensional to see the three teams that overcame Leeds now fighting to deny them a second chance with their best assets.

Leeds will have a go at Rodon for sure. Whether it’s an immediate permanent move or a loan that will reduce that hefty fee over 12 months, Marathe and the recruiting staff know how much Farke likes him.

The president has already stated that he wants white people to live on the edge of financial rules, with as competitive an edge as possible. They may be able to offer a fee and wages that attract Tottenham Hotspur and Rodon, but they have no control over what their rivals, freed from the riches of the Premier League, can offer.

It cannot be an easy decision for Rodon. On the one hand, he has nothing to prove in the second tier and, at 26, his next club will undoubtedly have the best years of his career. If he can repeat last season’s level in the top flight, he will have plans to move up the pyramid as his 30s approach.

On the other hand, he won’t easily turn his back on a coaching staff, a team and a fan base that propelled him to the heights of last season. There is also the small matter of the presence of Ethan Ampadu and Daniel James providing some home comfort, as well as the undoubted potential of United under 49ers Enterprises should they be promoted in May.

Spurs could take the decision out of his hands with the offers they accept or reject, but if it’s the player’s choice, they will have to put their faith in Leeds and Farke in a swift promotion that unlocks a significant big-time slingshot from 2025.