Leeds United transfer news: Diego Llorente exit plans affected as Evan N’Dicka set to be signed
Diego Llorente is “destined” for a return to Leeds United with Roma set to sign his replacement for the squad in Evan N’Dicka, Corriere dello Sport reports.
The Spaniard’s surprise loan move to the Stadio Olimpico in January had raised hopes at Elland Road of offloading a player who had struggled in the past couple of seasons.
But despite eventually winning the trust of Jose Mourinho, and even featuring in the Europa League final on Wednesday (31 May), his permanent option hasn’t been triggered and the man to fill his spot is now on the way in the form of the Frenchman from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Llorente had hoped that a move back to Roma was possible after his loan deal ended [Forza Roma], but that appears to have taken a major hit with the news of the N’Dicka deal.
Corriere dello Sport report: “[Roma are] about to hire the French-Cameroonian N’Dicka, one of the most attractive free agent defenders in Europe, who yesterday played the German Cup final and said goodbye to Eintracht.
“It was the left-footed centre-back who asked Mourinho to complete the department. And he will numerically take the place of Llorente, destined to return under the control of Leeds.”
Disappointment
The Whites aren’t going to be delighted to see the 29-year-old returning to Elland Road when they will have had their eye on a decent fee to move him on.
And given he has just featured in a European final, albeit in defeat, it will hardly be the most uplifting prospect for Llorente to head back to Leeds United in the Championship.
The original deal that sent him to Italy was a surprise given he wasn’t even a starter at the time in a Whites defence that hardly had formidable reputation, but after injury issues and a slow start he had gradually managed to contribute in the Italian capital.
The £18million permanent option always seemed like wishful thinking, but the prospect of a cheaper deal this summer could have still suited all parties.
There remains an outside prospect that is possible, but if N’Dicka has already been lined up as a replacement it surely reduces the likelihood.
So it is a deflating end to the campaign for the former Real Sociedad man, just as it is for the Whites in general, and an alternative transfer will have to be sought during the window if he isn’t to end up likely stuck on the bench again.
In other Leeds United news, a BT Sport pundit has revealed an apology from Andrea Radrizzani after “betrayal” at Elland Road.