Steve Cooper has already given thumbs up to Leicester City transfer target

New manager Steve Cooper could provide Leicester City with extra pulling power after the club were linked with a former player of his

After Leicester City transfer links to Joe Rodon emerged earlier this week, the club’s appointment of Steve Cooper as manager adds an interesting factor to that potential piece of business.

Rodon, 26, is currently on the books at Tottenham Hotspur. He impressed whilst on loan at Leeds United last season although their failure to win promotion to the Premier League has now reportedly jeopardised the prospect of a permanent move there, as the Foxes and the two other newly-promoted teams are now rumoured to hold interest.

What’s more, if Leicester needed any more pulling power in this transfer tussle against their rivals then they could not have made a more perfect addition than Cooper in the dugout.

The 44-year-old was the one to hand his fellow Welshman a breakout campaign in the Championship while both with Swansea City – a decision that ultimately saw him noticed by Spurs scouts.

During that era Cooper spoke incredibly highly of his central defender, with his past comments now providing a clearer picture of the player Leicester supporters could see pull on the club’s blue strip in the not-so distant future.

“I think Joe is a big player for us. He has had a very good start to the season, and the exciting thing with Joe is he is only going to get better,” Cooper told swanseacity.com, adding: “I really believe in his potential.

“He is a right-footed centre-back playing on the left, which just shows his quality of how he can play with the ball. He is taking great responsibility, with and without the ball, and he is only going to grow in this environment.

“I think he is a really good player and I am enjoying working with him. He loves Swansea, he loves playing for the football club. He is proud to represent the club – those are his words not mine – and he is giving his all day in and day out.