George Overhill

Thu 15 June 2023 7:10, UK

Diego Llorente’s return to Roma has not been ruled out by the signing of Evan N’Dicka and negotiations are still taking place for the Leeds United defender, Corriere dello Sport reports.

The arrival of the former Eintracht Frankfurt man for a medical in Rome on Tuesday [La Roma 24, 13 June] looked to have ended the Elland Road defender’s chances of re-signing for the Europa League finalists, after his loan this season ended without his £18million permanent option triggered.

But a loan with a cheaper clause in it is still on the cards as the Roma director Tiago Pinto looks to seal a deal to bring the 29-year-old back.

According to Corriere dello Sport “the idea of giving up on Llorente has never been taken into consideration” and he is seen as “useful to the cause” by manager Jose Mourinho after the half-season together.

The Serie A side want the Spaniard but could not justify redeeming his transfer clause because he will be turning 30 in two months time (16 August).

Additionally, Fabrizio Romano reports (14 June) that Pinto is due in England this week as he looks to close a deal for West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca, so face to face talks with Elland Road representatives are likely in order.

Reprieve

After CdS had previously suggested (4 June) that the N’Dicka signing would take Llorente’s place in the squad it is a positive development all round that a return is still open.

The Italian side, and crucially Mourinho, like him and his form seemed to improve after a fairly miserable previous year-and-a-half at Elland Road.

If Leeds United can shift some players who aren’t part of the future plans in West Yorkshire it should give them a better chance to keep ones they think can be.

Had Roma stumped up the full asking price the Whites hierarchy would have been laughing all the way to the bank based on his performances in England, even allowing for his improved showing on the continent.

So a reduced fee is still likely to be palatable at a time when most of the first-team squad is available for a cut price following relegation, some alarmingly so by the looks of things.

The hold up on transfers amid first the ownership negotiations, and now with a managerial appointment top of the agenda, could have seen the opportunity to get some return on Llorente go begging.

But it appears that is now not the case, and with the negotiations ongoing the former Real Sociedad man should logically still get his move if it suits all parties.

In other Leeds United news, doubt has emerged among the 49ers investment group over whether the Whites takeover was the right move.