Just a year ago, Southampton beat Leeds United at Wembley to book their spot in the Premier League. Now, the two teams have swapped places once again.
It seems an age ago since Southampton beat Leeds United in the Championship play-off final. Fast forward to now, and the two teams have endured very differing last 12 months, and both teams also look to have very different short-term futures.
The Saints look as though they could really start to free-fall following their relegation from the Premier League, whilst Leeds United could thrive under Daniel Farke in the Premier League.
So far this summer, Leeds United have signed seven new players, spending £75 million in the transfer market.
But Farke knows his work is far from done this summer, with Leeds United still in need of numerous attacking signings, including a striker, a winger, and a new number 10.
The search for a new number 10 has been rumbling on, arguably since the start of the year, with many names being linked and many names coming and going.
One name who Farke has retained an interest in is Coventry City’s Jack Rudoni.
Photo by Kevin Hodgson | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesLeeds United’s stance on Coventry City ace Jack Rudoni
Earlier in the summer, Leeds United were linked with a move for Rudoni at Coventry City. The 24-year-old shone in the Championship last season with 10 goals and 12 assists in 45 league outings for Frank Lampard’s side. Leeds United are not alone in their pursuit of the midfielder: Newcastle United have also been linked with Rudoni, but more recently, Southampton have entered the race.
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Reports this week have revealed how Southampton have had a bid rejected for Rudoni. The Saints’ bid is understood to be well short of Coventry’s asking price for Rudoni. But a clear asking price is yet to be reported with the Sky Blues looking determined to keep their star man beyond this summer’s transfer window.
Leeds United News sources can reveal that the Whites remain interested in signing Rudoni this summer and are still keeping tabs on his situation, with a move possible before the end of the transfer window. Speaking previously, Lampard described Rudoni as a ‘dream’ player.
Jack Rudoni, Emi Buendia, or Gustavo Hamer – who will Leeds United sign?
Leeds United’s potential options in the number 10 position have been rather limited to the likes of Emi Buendia and Gustavo Hamer throughout the summer, but right now a move for neither player is looking likely.
Hamer isn’t all that interested in signing for Leeds United whilst Buendia is playing himself back into contention at Aston Villa, although he may move later on in the summer transfer window.
Rudoni then could quickly become a key target for Leeds United, and with Southampton making moves he could tempt the 49ers into making their own move.
But Rudoni has been urged not to join Leeds United this summer, speaking previously, pundit Don Goodman said: “If he goes to Leeds, will he get the game time? You obviously have to back yourself and have confidence. I’m sure he would do that. I can understand temptation, but I’d be thinking very carefully about it.”
Given the fact that Rudoni is not experienced in the Premier League, if he arrives at Elland Road this summer he may well share the number 10 spot with Brenden Aaronson, and the two could rotate quite often in what is a key position on the pitch.
Either way, Farke knows he needs more depth and more quality in that position.