Tottenham Hotspur have targeted Southampton midfielder Carlos ‘Charly’ Alcaraz and could offer defender Joe Rodon as a sweetener to get the deal done. Rodon spent last season on loan at Leeds United, with the Whites hoping to agree a deal with Spurs to bring the Wales international back to Elland Road.

However, Leeds are not alone in their pursuit of Rodon and face competition from the three Championship promoted sides in Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town. With Spurs also linked to Leeds’ teenager star Archie Gray, there had been suggestions if the Whites felt they had to sell Gray they could do a deal that would bring Rodon in the other direction.

Spurs are understood to want £10m for Rodon, a fee not beyond Leeds’ reach, but the player has Premier League ambitions and the suggestion is a swap deal with Southampton for Alcaraz plus a transfer fee would suit all parties better. The Sun report Alcaraz is on Spurs’ radar this summer with the player having spent the second half of last season at Juventus following Saints’ relegation from the Premier League in 2023.

Alcaraz is valued at around £30m, and is seen as a rising young talent with a big future. He made his debut for Juventus in January, coming off the bench to replace former Leeds midfielder Weston McKennie.

Having spent the past two seasons on loan, Rodon is seeking stability with his next move and it is understood he would have stayed at Leeds had the club won promotion. Speaking before the play-off final he said; “It would be nice to have stability and know where I am next season. I’ve always strived to get to 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 do love it here and Leeds feels like a second home to me now. I’m just concentrating on giving my best and getting this club back to where it belongs.”