Tottenham and Newcastle are in talks to sign Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij on a free transfer next summer, and have approached the Dutch star’s camp over a move – but what does a move mean for out-on-loan Joe Rodon?
The Wales defender left the club on loan in the summer and joined Ligue 1 outfit Rennes. It comes after managing just two Premier League appearances under Antonio Conte last season, both of which came from the substitutes bench.
In France, he has been fantastic. A mainstay in the Rennes side, Rodon’s team find themselves in eighth place with 12 points after eight games. In the Europa League, his side have four from two. He is gaining valuable experience on loan.
But with Rodon likely to return to Tottenham next summer – what happens if Spurs win the race for de Vrij? The 58-time Netherlands international would be forming a reunion with Antonio Conte, if he swapped Inter for Tottenham.
Tottenham in talks to sign de Vrij – but what does that mean for Rodon?
There is no doubt that Eric Dier is first choice in the middle. Recalled to the England side, Paul Robinson recently claimed the ex-Sporting Lisbon man is the best centre-back in the country, at the moment. De Vrij would cover him.
Of the three, de Vrij’s best role is in the middle. But he is more than adept at playing on either side, too. Rodon played on the left at Swansea, but he is far from de Vrij’s experience and versatility in all three of conte’s defensive areas.
Ultimately, there is only going to be one answer. Rodon has a career to pursue and it is not on Tottenham’s bench. De Vrij has lived the majority of his senior career already, and may now be happy to play a rotational role at Spurs.
If Spurs do sign de Vrij on a free transfer, then they will be selling Rodon on a permanent basis. Bought for £11m under Jose Mourinho; if he continues the way he is going and shines at the World Cup, that figure could easily grow.
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