Julian Winter comments on Joe Rodon’s move to Tottenham

Add as preferred source on Google

Club chief executive Julian Winter has told Swansea City’s official website that Tottenham Hotspur summer signing Joe Rodon is a huge loss, while he also attempted to alleviate concerns over the fee he was sold for.

Rodon was one of the most high-profile movers in the final couple of weeks in the window. He moved to North London on deadline day.

His departure seemed to disappoint many Swansea supporters. The 22-year-old had been superb for Steve Cooper’s side, and is starting to establish himself in Wales’s senior squad.

And part of the frustration has been over the fee he moved for. The Daily Mail reported when links with Spurs initially emerged that Swansea wanted £18 million for the youngster.

However, BBC Sport reported that Tottenham have paid an initial £11 million for Rodon. The report noted that there will also be add-ons.

Those add-ons may do little to appease frustrated supporters. But Winter has insisted that it was a good piece of business for the Championship side. He did however, admit that it was a real shame to lose him.

“I know there are question marks over the fee we got for Joe – even though it was undisclosed – it is still a significant transfer for this club,” he told the club’s official website. “It has enabled the club to be more financially secure in the short to medium term, while it has allowed us to create a much deeper squad in terms of competitiveness for the league we are in.

“Joe is a great loss, a great guy with great potential and is an academy product. He’s moved to a top-six club – this is not just him moving to another club, it was a huge opportunity for him.”

TBR View: Rodon could prove a steal if initial fee is anything close to £11 million

Of course, Winter’s insistence that the fee is undisclosed makes it difficult to make a strong argument against Swansea’s decision.

But if the figures are anything like what BBC Sport has claimed, you could understand why the fans may be upset.

Much may depend on how much could come Swansea’s way in the future. But letting Rodon leave for anything like an initial £11 million looks to be a shame.

And Tottenham fans will be hoping that Rodon piles the pressure on Winter in the future by proving an inspired signing – whatever the fee.