Leeds United transfer update: Wolves man Adama Traore enters the picture amid complications on Rasmus Kristensen deal
Roma are interested in long-term Leeds United target Adama Traore as an alternative after delays hit their proposed loan move for Rasmus Kristensen, Calcio Mercato reports.
With Diego Llorente’s return to the Italian capital virtually assured despite machinations on the exact details of the arrangement, Danish international Kristensen was expected to follow sooner rather than later.
Jose Mourinho wanted a move wrapped up this weekend so he could have the right-back available for his training camp next week, but there appears to have been late difficulties in securing an agreement, with Phil Hay suggesting on The Square Ball on Wednesday (5 June, 19m 30s) that the move hasn’t advanced in the way Llorente’s has.
Now, Calcio Mercato report: “Several weeks ago the negotiation with Leeds for Kristensen seemed closed but, to date, there are still several details missing to be filed.”
As such, their sporting director Tiago Pinto is on the lookout for alternatives, with Molineux man Traore reportedly a “goal” for the Europa League finalists.
The Spain international was linked to a move to Elland Road repeatedly, and as recently as the January transfer window [TEAMtalk, 5 January], but following relegation that long-mooted deal looks to be dead and he could instead cause Kristensen to remain at the club instead.
Hold up
Leeds United and Roma appear to have been in never-ending talks for weeks now without the official announcements on either Llorente or Kristensen actually arriving.
The Spaniard’s return to the Stadio Olimpico has never really seemed in doubt, and when Mourinho saw the opportunity to poach Kristensen too there appeared no reason that deal wouldn’t go through as well.
It may well still happen, but with the Dane only arriving at Elland Road a year ago and offering (slightly) more on the pitch in West Yorkshire than Llorente did last season perhaps the club want a more preferable deal for him.
If Pinto is now on the look out for alternatives then perhaps Kristensen will end up being in Daniel Farke’s squad for the Championship after all, with the early indications after relegation being that he was prepared to remain [The Athletic, 6 July].
It would be somewhat ironic after multiple windows where Traore was tipped to head to Elland Road himself if Roma went for him instead and a deal for the 27-year-old saw someone else end up as a Whites player next season.
Should Kristensen’s move fall through it could also have notable knock-on effects for Cody Drameh, so the upcoming developments on this deal will be watched closely by multiple interested parties.
In other Leeds United news, a six-figure cash sum has been banked after another player has secured an Elland Road exit.