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Friday is the deadline for transfers in the EFL — divisions 2-4 in the English football pyramid. Tottenham Hotspur have been strongly linked with a move for Swansea City central defender Joe Rodon, but the clubs are far apart in their valuation for the player and time is running out for a deal to take place.
The Swans are said to want £18m for Rodon, but Spurs so far haven’t been willing to go that high, with reports stating that Spurs mooted an offer of just £8m earlier on. Speaking to the media. Swansea boss Steve Cooper said that Swansea will not be rolled for one of their prime assets.
“If we do lose an asset then our supporters will want to see some re-investment and some good players coming in. What I would say about Joe or any other of our assets - and Joe is right up there as one of our biggest ones - it’s really important that if we do end up having to sell, then we get something to show for it.”
£18m would be a lot of money for a central defender who would be considered at best fourth or fifth on the CB depth chart at Spurs this season, but with Tottenham having only Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Toby Alderweireld, and Japhet Tanganga, an injury to one or more defenders could put Spurs into a potential pickle. Rodon has a high ceiling and would probably see minutes at Spurs in the early rounds of cups, though he wouldn’t be registered for the Europa League group stage.
Cooper went on to say that Rodon would absolutely be interested in a move to the Premier League, especially to a club like Spurs.
“To move from a Championship club to a big-six club - it is difficult for a player not to be excited. I understand that. The biggest thing in the Championship is there is another level above it. We all want to get there, whether it’s through promotion or moves.
“I think Joe is a really good player and if that’s what the going rate is, then Joe, for a young player, will be a top centre-back in the Championship.”
I don’t know whether or not a deal can be hammered out between Spurs and Swansea for Rodon by the end of the day tomorrow — if not, it’s possible Spurs may come back in for him in January, or wait until next summer.