Leeds United transfer news as Marc Roca trains alone to seal transfer in key week
Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca is training alone to be in top condition ahead of a “key week” in his transfer to Real Betis, according to Mundo Deportivo.
It’s believed the Whites have approved the 26-year-old’s departure and that Roca will spend the 2023/24 season on loan at Manuel Pellegrini’s side (Mundo Deportivo, 12 June) – seeing him return to Spain after three years away.
Spanish outlet Eldiario Deportes reported on 22 June that a deal to take Roca back to his homeland is now very advanced and the Spaniard was pictured running drills as he gets set for pre-season, which may well begin at Betis in the coming days.
And that has again been reported by Mundo Deportivo [2 July] who claim that this week is key in Roca sealing his Leeds United exit.
Betis are reportedly working on negotiations to have a purchase option included in the deal, and manager Pellegrini hopes to have him available for pre-season on Tuesday [4 July].
Close
Despite the obstacles in Roca’s departure to Betis this summer, his Elland Road exit was almost guaranteed given the position Leeds United find themselves in and his desire to play at the top level.
Roca emerged as a steady component on the ball for Leeds United last season, giving them the foundation to build out from deep areas, but simply struggled with the testing physicality of the English top-flight, especially after the injury to Tyler Adams.
It certainly seems as though he is ready for La Liga football next term and this is a move well suited to all parties, with the former Bayern Munich man completing a move to a league he knows well and Leeds United now potentially getting a purchase option in the loan deal according to the latest development.
Roca simply did not do enough to aid the club’s quest for Premier League safety and the Elland Road fans will be glad to see the back of him, even if it is temporary.
It’s massively imperative that the club identify potential targets to take his place in the team and several others also, with some crucial departures set to commence in the coming weeks.
In other Leeds United news, the club are set to react to an impending Elland Road exodus with “ambitious” incoming transfer plans.