Leeds United plan transfers of ‘enormous value’ squad with Real Betis in talks for Marc Roca
Leeds United are sitting on a squad of “enormous value at market level” as suitors look to sign players from Elland Road this summer, according to AS.
The Whites are in negotiations with Real Betis over a deal for midfielder Marc Roca, but the relative financial situations between the two clubs sees the Spanish side “trying to convince” Leeds with a loan proposal.
A host of players from the Premier League squad are set to leave the club during the transfer window after relegation to the Championship, and the Whites appear to be in a strong economic position as a result.
Betis have reportedly been chasing a move for Roca for multiple seasons, through his time at Espanyol and then Bayern Munich, as they look to make him one of the first to depart West Yorkshire this summer.
AS sum up the Whites situation, saying: “Leeds were relegated a few days ago and have to reinvent their plan to try to find their return to the Premier next year while settling scores with a squad of enormous value at market level.”
Blessing and curse
Ignoring the fact that a squad of such value should probably never been relegated in the first place, it does appear that the Whites have a financial head start on many of their rivals in the Championship as they look to gain promotion.
The fall from the richest league in the world is never comfortable, but with various players that can be moved on Angus Kinnear and the incoming 49ers regime will be expecting to bank millions this summer even allowing for reduced prices in the second tier.
As long as there aren’t too many relegation release clauses such as the one that reportedly allows Rodrigo to leave for £3million [Cope, 7 June], barely more than a 10th of the £27million he cost from Valencia three years ago [Sky Sports], the the club should get a decent return.
But with all moves at Elland Road held up so far by the delay in the sale from Andrea Radrizzani to the 49ers, and the subsequent need to appoint a new manager, the necessary turnover has not yet underway.
Negotiating for a loan exit on a player who cost £10million a year ago is not the way to go about maximising the supposed “enormous value”, but given AS also claim Roca “shone” in the Leeds United midfield this year their calculations may be slightly off.
So many players underperformed on the whole over the past season that in theory plenty could move on without seriously weakening the squad.
But having assets to sell in the market this summer is only of benefit if the club can get in position to move them on to the right takers, so with the takeover now sealed a new manager is absolutely crucial to assess the playing staff and attempt to keep those they want to stay at Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, with the new boss now key one man is emerging as a “serious contender” for the job.