Leeds United have two leads in the race to sign Joe Rodon ahead of Ipswich Town

There has been radio silence from Rodon and his camp almost a month after the play-off final defeat to Southampton at Wembley.

Having withdrawn from the Wales squad, it’s clear Rodon just wants to enjoy the off-season after a long and grueling 10-month campaign for both club and country.

The 26-year-old is the only one of the three Leeds loanees not to have posted a message on Instagram expressing his gratitude for his time at the club.

Both Connor Roberts and Jaidon Anthony have already done so, both reading as goodbyes, even if Leeds remain interested in re-signing the former. This could be a sign that Rodon is leaving the door open.

Graham Smyth shares two advantages Leeds have in the Rodon race

The biggest problem Leeds will have in trying to sign Rodon is the growing interest in the Premier League for his signature.

Even if the three main clubs that have been linked are all newly promoted, Leeds simply won’t be able to compete financially as long as they remain a Championship side.

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna is said to be a big fan of Rodon and tried to sign him last summer, while new Leicester City manager Steve Cooper is also keen.

However, speaking on the latest episode of the Inside Elland Road Podcast, journalist Graham Smyth shared a more positive outlook on Leeds’ hopes of signing him.

He believes Rodon’s happiness at Elland Road last season, as well as the friendships he formed with his team-mates, will stand Leeds ahead of other interested clubs.

He said: “The Rodon thing could be quite prolonged as I don’t think there will be a loan if they go for him. There will be others who want him too and they will have to put together a really solid case.

“Part of their strong case will be that he wants to be here because by all accounts last season he felt he had found a home at Elland Road. That will weigh massively in Leeds’ favour, although I’m not saying money doesn’t talk and Premier League status doesn’t.

“But I definitely think when at least two of your best friends in your international team and all the friends you made last season, it was very close with Archie Gray and two others.

“While I’m still at Leeds, knock on wood, then why not come back and have a second year of fun doing the job. He strikes me as the kind of guy who wants to do my job and get it done.”

Smyth’s latest comments about Rodon are certainly a reflection of what the Welshman had to say just before the play-off final about the possibility of a permanent move.

Rodon explained how Leeds has now become a “second home” for him and while the Wembley failure certainly gave him something to think about, he has clearly enjoyed his time at the club.

He said: “It would be nice to have some stability and know where I am next season. I have always strived to reach the elite level and hopefully I can get back there with Leeds, but you never know.

“I don’t want to look too far into the future, although I love it here and Leeds feels like a second home to me now. I’m just focused on giving my best and getting this club back to where it belongs.”

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