Leeds United agree deal in principle for Marc Roca to leave Elland Road in ‘zero-cost’ transfer
Leeds United have agreed a deal in principle for the zero-cost exit of midfielder Marc Roca, according to Estadio Deportivo.
The publication noted that the 26-year-old will join Spanish club Real Betis on loan until June 30, 2024, with contracts for the deal currently being drafted.
Roca joined the West Yorkshire club last summer from German giants Bayern Munich on a four-year deal, but is now set to exit Elland Road temporarily.
Discussing Roca’s “zero-cost” transfer, Estadio Deportivo noted: “Negotiation sources consulted by this newspaper assure that Betis and Leeds United have reached an agreement for the transfer of Marc Roca until June 30, 2024.
“The negotiation between the clubs is already closed, only in the absence of minor details for the drafting of the contracts.
“It should be remembered that the English, after their relegation to the Championship, were obliged to accept a loan from the Spanish midfielder as long as his destination team took over his file in full.”
One of many
Roca is one of a handful of players Leeds signed last summer that could already force their way out of the club after just one year.
Their relegation from the Premier League is, of course, the main factor in such exits, with many senior players not settling for a campaign in the English second division.
They will believe they can play at a much higher level, and are seemingly uninterested in sticking around for another season to try and help Leeds immediately bounce back to the top flight.
It is certainly a smart move to force through an exit from Elland Road, with promotion from the Championship much easier said than done.
Roca settled into life in England well upon his move from the Bundesliga, but later saw his time on the pitch decline with the arrival of fellow midfielder Weston McKennie.
The Spaniard found his way back into the starting XI upon the injury to Tyler Adams, but it seems that he will not be playing any part of the club’s Championship campaign next time out.
In other Leeds United news, one big-name manager is now in pole position to fill the vacant dugout at Elland Road.