Diego Llorente had hoped for permanent Roma switch rather than a Leeds United return this summer
On-loan Leeds United defender Diego Llorente admits he wanted to return to Roma definitively this summer after signing off on another loan deal, having seen his minutes dwindle at Elland Road last season.
The 29-year-old Spanish defender spent the second half of last season on loan with the Italian club as Leeds were relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the season and will spend the upcoming season with Jose Mourinho’s side once again.
However, the defender has admitted that he had hoped that his exit from Elland Road would be made permanent this summer, but the three parties involved in the transfer were unable to agree on a deal that suited everyone involved.
Discussing the negotiations this summer on the Italian radio station Radio Radio, as transcribed by Siamo La Roma [31 July], he said: “Yes, there were three parties involved. Roma, Leeds and me. I wanted to continue here. A definitive agreement has not been found, but I’m not worried about it because my desire was to return here.”
No real surprises
Llorente struggled towards the end of his time at Elland Road, unable to cement a consistent place in then-manager Jesse Marsch’s starting line-up, especially after the signing of Max Wober.
Last season saw him make only 13 appearances in all competitions for the Whites, but rather ironically all those who were listed above him in the pecking order have since departed Leeds United, other than Liam Cooper.
As has been the case for so many of the departures from Elland Road this summer, there is a feeling that LLorente would’ve probably been a valuable asset to have at the disposal of a Championship side, as shown by the fact he has moved to such a high-profile club.
The likelihood is that he will ultimately get his wish of a permanent move to Roma but having signed a three-and-a-half-year extension with Leeds last December, it will likely cost more than Mourinho’s side are willing to pay at this moment in time.
He is just another on a long list of departures that the Whites are going to have to come back to next year, and which division Daniel Farke’s side are playing their football in could have a big impact on whether permanent departures are then completed.
In other Leeds United news, Tyler Adams is one of a number of names that Chelsea are considering bringing to Stamford Bridge