Leeds United transfer news as AS Roma seek more ‘favourable’ terms for Diego Llorente
Italian giants AS Roma will attempt to get Leeds United defender Diego Llorente back on loan this summer or on “favourable” terms, according to AS Roma Live.it.
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 for a permanent move, with an £18million option-to-buy clause in the loan contract [Daily Mail, 31 January]
Llorente had initially struggled for game-time and confidence since his move but hasn’t looked back since, making 12 appearances in all competitions, with the defender still working on a permanent Leeds United exit this summer, as per Corriere dello Sport [3 April].
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed on 6 June that Roma deem Llorente’s €18m buy clause [£15.5m] as too expensive, and a new report has emerged from ASRomalive [6 June] revealing that the Italian outfit will try again for Llorente this summer.
“To buy him outright from Leeds, however, 18 million are needed. A figure deemed excessive by the manager who, on the occasion of the imminent meeting with the English (relegated to the Championship), will try to get him back on loan or in any case on favourable terms”, the report writes.
Get rid
With Llorente’s career at Elland Road seemingly at its end, Leeds United certainly mustn’t hesitate to negotiate a lower fee for his sale.
Forza Roma reported on 11 April that the Spanish international has told friends he desires a permanent Elland Road exit, which arguably shows some disrespect to his parent club.
However, given his current contract ends this summer, that certainly provides Leeds United with no incentive to try and drive up the price.
There’s going to be much change at the West Yorkshire outfit this summer with a potential 49ers enterprises takeover imminent and a player recruitment drive which looks set to be incredibly busy with players coming and leaving Elland Road, which means the club simply cannot afford to waste time over needless negotiations.
If Roma want to negotiate a more favourable deal then Leeds United must be quick to resume talks to finally get rid of a player who no longer wants anything to do with the Elland Road faithful. Good riddance as most Leeds fans will almost certainly claim.
In other Leeds news, one star has been lined up as a replacement for an outgoing club legend in Europe.