Leeds United in talks with Villarreal over Diego Llorente sale as Roma make £16m transfer decision
Leeds United are reportedly in talks with Villarreal over the sale of Diego Llorente as Roma are unlikely to sign him permanently.
According to Calciomercato journalist Marco Conterio, £16million is a tad steep for the Serie A giants and despite impressing on loan there, it’s not looking like they will exercise their option to buy.
Villarreal have emerged as fresh contenders and are now having conversations with the Whites over a sale this summer.
Via Twitter, Conterio wrote, “Diego Llorente close to farewell to Roma in the summer who are unlikely to redeem the option to buy from LUFC for 18 million euros [£16million].
“The Leeds United hierarchy are in direct contact with the representatives of Villarreal, as the Yellow Submarine wants him in the summer.”
Keep the price
Leeds cannot bring down the price just because one team is unwilling to sign him.
Roma could also be playing games and briefing the media so as to make Leeds panic but there are going to be suitors for Llorente.
He has done well in Spain and Italy and it’s only the Premier League that did not suit his style of play.
That does not make him a bad defender and Villarreal will be counting on him to repeat the performances he showed during his time at Real Sociedad.
He’s also a Real Madrid academy graduate and that counts for something in Spain more than anywhere else so Leeds can get their fee for him.
It remains to be seen where he ends up going as interest in his services is only likely to increase and Leeds are in a comfortable situation to get their price.
In other Leeds United news, a Whites player has a potential offer on the table and could seal his permanent Elland Road exit this summer.