Leeds United plan new Roma transfer talks as Rasmus Kristensen agrees exit terms, ‘white smoke’ on the cards Wednesday
Leeds United are set for more talks with Roma this week after Rasmus Kristensen agreed terms over a move to Serie A, Tutto Mercato Web reports.
The Dane had appeared likely to stay at Elland Road following relegation, but the Europa League finalists have made a push to take him to the Italian capital along with teammate Diego Llorente.
According to the Sunday evening (25 June) report Roma chief Tiago Pinto has secured terms with the Whites defender “in the last few hours” ahead of an expected loan move.
There is not yet an agreement between the clubs however, with Roma reportedly still considering whether to add a permanent option or not.
Further negotiations are now expected in the early parts of the new week with “white smoke” predicted to arrive on the departure by Wednesday (28) or Thursday (29).
Sudden
It has to be considered a bit of a surprise that Jose Mourinho is apparently so taken by the Leeds United defence after a campaign which saw it concede the most goals in the Premier League that he wants to add multiple parts of it.
But Llorente has looked better in Italy than England over the past year so the same may well be true of Kristensen.
The £10million arrival [Sky Sports] Red Bull Salzburg had an inconsistent season at Elland Road, with his best performances arguably coming as a stand-in centre-back late in the year.
His playing style may have made him a solid option for the Championship but it looks like that will now be a moot point within days.
Permanent options have proven to be a problem between Leeds and Roma already after an £18million clause was agreed in Llorente’s original loan deal, which unsurprisingly turned out to be too high.
Another loan for the Spaniard is on the cards, and it looks like he will be joined by Kristensen this time, and if there are options inserted they are bound to be for relatively low fees.
Movement on the transfer front is starting to pick up despite a new manager still not being in place, and these exits look like it could open the door for Cody Drameh and Charlie Cresswell to get a bigger role this year.
In other Leeds United news, doubts have emerged as the club close in on a highly-successful former Championship manager.