Leeds United loanee Diego Llorente falls in love with Roma as £18m development emerges
Leeds United defender Diego Llorente has fallen “in love” with Roma and wants to stay at the Stadio Olimpico, according to CalcioMercato.
The Spanish defender was surprisingly brought in by Jose Mourinho at the end of the January transfer window on a temporary basis with the potential to make it a permanent move in the summer, with an £18million option-to-buy clause in the loan contract [Daily Mail, 31 January].
The 29-year-old had struggled for game-time and confidence since his move but reportedly made Mourinho proud on his full debut against Sampdoria [2 April] as the defender still works on a permanent Leeds United exit, as per Corriere dello Sport [3 April].
And according to the latest report from Calcio Mercato [5 April], the veteran defender is loving life at the Stadio Olimpico and wishes to stay beyond the summer.
However, with reports suggesting the Serie A giants do not wish to pay the £18million loan clause to make the move permanent, they will continue to monitor Llorente’s progress and potentially seek a “discount” from Leeds United.
Right direction
It’s clear Llorente obviously impressed during his full debut for Roma against Sampdoria at the weekend, and given his recent struggles with injury and lack of confidence, he still wishes to leave Leeds United to join the Serie A giants permanently.
However, whether the Whites will accept a discounted price having already agreed to the £18m clause is another matter entirely. If the club simply fail to secure their Premier League status come the end of the season, they will be looking for the full price to be met.
But, the Spaniard’s current deal at Elland Road ends in June which gives Roma some incentive of some sort to ask for a lower price.
When the January move was revealed it was determined by most that the new contract was simply a way for the club to protect his value more than anything else, and it worked out well. An incredibly smart clause inserted by the club.
And his wishes to leave the club this summer means a return to Elland Road looks increasingly unlikely. If Llorente can build on from his debut at Roma then, Leeds United can go certainly go home happy with money in the bank.
In other Leeds United news, a teenager now looks closer than ever to his debut after what he did at Thorp Arch during the international break with Javi Gracia taking note.
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