Leeds United have full agreement in place for Marc Roca exit – Fabrizio Romano
Leeds United now have a full agreement in place with Real Betis for Marc Roca to seal his expected Elland Road loan exit this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Whites have approved the 26-year-old’s departure from Elland Road and will spend the 2023/24 season on loan at Manuel Pellegrini’s side after only joining the club last summer from Bayern Munich.
And according to Romano, taking to his personal Twitter account (10 July), the Spanish midfielder will join Betis on loan with a buy option clause included in the deal. Betis are working on outgoings before officially announcing Roca and former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin as new signings.
He tweeted: “Real Betis have full agreement in place with Leeds United for Marc Roca to join on loan with buy option clause.
“Hector Bellerín has also agreed terms with Betis days ago, he’s ready to return at the club.
“Betis, working to complete outgoings before announcing new signing.”
Need replacements
Despite the obstacles in Roca’s departure to Betis this summer, his Elland Road exit was almost guaranteed given the position Leeds United found themselves in and his desire to play at the top level.
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 makes Leeds United fans wonder whether his signing was a mistake.
For now, though, the Elland Road faithful will be hoping the club have contingency plans lined up in the market because with the expected departures of Tyler Adams, Brendan Aaronson and of course Roca, Daniel Farke will be well short in the midfield department.
Replacements and a potential upgrade are needed desperately.
In other Leeds United news, the announcement of the 49ers Enterprises’ full takeover is expected to go through before the club can start making “major” moves in the market.