Jose Mourinho stance emerges as PSG want to sign Leeds United loanee Diego Llorente
Jose Mourinho is willing to allow Diego Llorente to leave AS Roma and join PSG this month as they look to sign the Leeds loanee, according to FootMercato.
Writing on their website (9 January), the French news outlet report the Parisian club have identified Llorente as a target for central defence after an injury to Milan Skriniar, with former Spain national team coach Luis Enrique a fan of his profile.
But with the player on loan at Roma any deal would need them to sign off on terminating it early, which according to the report Mourinho is willing to sanction.
“According to our information, the capital club is also looking towards AS Roma where a certain Diego Llorente plays,” they wrote.
“Aged 30, the Spaniard linked to Leeds until 2026 has been on loan to the Giallorossi since January 2023. Under the orders of José Mourinho, the former resident of Real Sociedad has started 16 times in Serie A this season.
“However, the Special One would not be against the idea of parting with it this winter.”
No shock
It’s no shock that Mourinho is willing to let Llorente go, because quite simply he’s rubbish and not worth the hassle.
Leeds gave him a new contract to protect his value and immediately let him leave on loan, and then allowed that loan to be extended again after relegation because he couldn’t help the club long term.
The same can be said for Roma in this situation despite him starting a lot of games this season, and they’ll know he’s easily replaced. It will save them on wages, get them a loan spot back for their squad and let them work in this window.
PSG will be getting a player in short-term who the manager knows and trusts, and for them is essentially a cut-price deal because of their wealth and so it works for everyone. It’s still a shock though, with L’Equipe labelling it a “surprise” deal.
It’s one to keep an eye on but it’s definitely moving in the right direction now and Roma won’t be the reason it doesn’t happen.
In other Leeds news, player picks new club amid several offers with Elland Road exit close.