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Marc Roca surely finished at Leeds United after another new development in last 48 hrs, permanent exit intentions now clear
On-loan Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca has reportedly “made clear” his happiness at Real Betis and to quit Elland Road for good and that certainly means even if the Whites return to the Premier League next season.
According to news outlet TEAMTalk (2 October), talks for a permanent Leeds exit could be underway earlier than expected with the 26-year-old enjoying life back in his native Spain after taking advantage of his relegation release clause to facilitate his desperately planned move [Betis TV via Marca, 9 September].
The Spaniard only arrived from Bayern Munich a year ago and was a regular under Jesse Marsch and his successors last season, making 36 total appearances for the Whites, with 32 coming in the Premier League.
According to a report from Spanish news outlet Estadio Deportivo (14 September), Roca can remain at the Seville-based club for another season on loan if Daniel Farke doesn’t get the Whites promoted this year.
It is believed that the Spaniard is “so attached” to his new surroundings it is like he has already been with Manuel Pellegrini’s side for longer than just a few months, while the 26-year-old himself said: “Right now I have a contract with Leeds (until 2026). It is the two teams who have to agree, but right now I am comfortable and very happy”.
Roca was part of the whopping exodus from Elland Road this summer which showed he had little interest in playing for a team in the Championship this season, a move back to Spain was always on the cards for him where he had previously been at Espanyol in order to rediscover his best form.
The Spaniard emerged as a promising and critical component in the Leeds United team following his summer move from Bayern Munich, but couldn’t follow that up with consistent performances when the going got tough.
His steady influence waned as the season progressed and ultimately lost his place to Weston McKennie who offered more of a dynamic and destructive presence from midfield.
A return to the possession-based approach of La Liga fits Roca to an absolute tee, which made every Leeds United fan wonder whether his signing was another catastrophic mistake.
Farke has belatedly been able to restock his midfield in the transfer market with Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev joining Ethan Ampadu as join arrivals, while Archie Gray has graduated from the academy.
That leaves little space for Roca anyway so if Leeds United can recoup the £10million they sent to Bavaria for him last summer [Sky Sports] they will surely take it, and he will happily go.
It certainly won’t be a surprise to see such a price negotiated before the January window because right now, it seems as if Roca has already packed his Thorp Arch locker for good. England is already a distant memory for the Spaniard.
In other Leeds United news, journalist Graham Smyth says the actions of a player against Southampton “was not a good look”.