Southampton look likely to be left disappointed in their pursuit for a new defender, with a summer target edging closer to a move to a Championship club.
Southampton have added just one new senior player so far this summer, with 36-year-old Adam Lallana securing a sentimental return to the club he started at for free.
Centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis has also signed but will not be considered a new player given he saw his loan deal become permanent upon promotion as per the terms of the agreement with Manchester City.
Even with Harwood-Bellis’ permanent arrival, Russell Martin has just three senior centre-backs in his squad currently; Jan Bednarek and captain Jack Stephens the other two.
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Therefore, at least one more central defender is needed this summer, but it looks as though the Saints are now set to miss out on one of their targets for the position.
Joe Rodon ‘set to join’ Leeds United in swap deal
That player is Joe Rodon, the Tottenham Hotspur defender who spent last season on loan at Leeds United.
Southampton may have beaten Leeds in the play-off final to secure a Premier League spot, but the West Yorkshire side look set to win the race for Rodon’s signature.
That is according to talkSPORT chief football correspondent Alex Crook, who posted on ‘X’: ‘Understand Joe Rodon is set to join Leeds United as part of Archie Gray negotiations. Gray has already completed his medical with Tottenham Hotspur’.
Leeds will receive cash as well as Rodon for the services of Gray and Southampton were themselves looking to capitalise in Spurs’ interest in Carlos Alcaraz to negotiate a similar deal for Rodon.
Southampton must turn attention to other defensive targets following Rodon news
Whilst Southampton will be disappointed to miss out on Rodon, he was not their only option to bolster Martin’s centre-back options.
Martin has been a long-term admirer of 21-year-old Peterborough United defender Ronnie Edwards and the Saints have been linked with a move for the player who looks destined to make the jump from League One to the Premier League.
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It has been relatively quiet in terms of other centre-backs that the club are looking at, but it is clear from links with both Rodon and Edwards that Southampton are looking for a ball-playing defender who also enjoy the physical side of the game.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke outlined that Rodon is exactly that with his comments following a win over Sunderland last season, as he said: “What I like about him is that he has an old-school attitude, but he’s a perfect role model of a modern defender as well.
“Because he is quick and good on the ball and you can defend with him on the high line.
“He also has good body language and leadership and it is also a topic we have worked on a bit since the beginning of the season.”
If Rodon does seal a Leeds move then Southampton will quickly move on to other targets to improve their defensive options this summer.