Leeds United could battle Newcastle United in the race to sign Tottenham defender Joe Rodon in January, The Telegraph report.  

The Lowdown: Rodon profiled

Rodon, labelled as ‘flawless’ by journalist Ian Mitchelmore after an impressive performance for Wales, is 24 years of age and has 22 caps under his belt for his country.

Valued at £9m by Transfermarkt, the centre-back has made 20 appearances for Spurs after joining from Swansea City last October.

He’s yet to make a domestic start during the current campaign and has played just 78 minutes of Premier League football – with none of those coming under Antonio Conte.

Leeds currently have Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk and Charlie Cresswell out through injury, and it seems as if Rodon could well be on Victor Orta’s radar along with two midfielders.

The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath shared a transfer notebook online, with Rodon one of the players he provided an update on.

He suggested that Newcastle were leading the race to sign Rodon on loan in January before adding that Leeds are also in the race and are monitoring the situation – possibly meaning they are keen on his services.

Spurs are likely to give the green light to a temporary exit, and it is accepted it will benefit the defender to be playing regularly.

The Verdict: Needed?

Although Leeds are currently without Cooper, Struijk and Cresswell through injury and Diego Llorente due to Covid-19, a new defender may not be the main priority in the New Year.

That's because the Whites have just four senior midfielders on the books at this moment in time, two of which are injured in Kalvin Phillips and Jamie Shackleton.

Orta is after a defensive and attacking midfielder in January, and should he get those early, then perhaps the club could look at loan deals in other areas, but before then, their focus should be solely on bolstering the middle of the pitch with Phillips out for two months.

In other news: 'Superb' injured Leeds defender back in training as Bielsa now gets positive Thorp Arch update.