Real Betis open to keeping Marc Roca but Leeds United price now very high

Real Betis are now open to keeping Marc Roca permanently after the conclusion of his loan from Leeds United after a great start to the season, according to Mucho Deporte.

The Spanish outlet reported on its website on Monday (20 November) that the La Liga side would be keen to extend Roca's stay in Betis, but any permanent deal could prove very costly, with the purchase option given by the Whites "very high".

It will require a good amount of money for Manuel Pellegrini to turn Roca's stay in Betis into a permanent one, however, should the Whites miss out on promotion there is a possibility that Leeds may allow the 26-year-old to depart Elland Road temporarily again.

Roca is incredibly well integrated into the first team at Betis and has had an excellent start to the campaign both in La Liga and in the Europa League.

Drive the price up

Leeds United paid a large fee to bring Roca to Elland Road from Bayern Munich, initially paying the German giants a fee of £10million [Sky Sports] and he departed Yorkshire on loan this summer after only 12 months in England following relegation to the Premier League.

There is absolutely no reason for the Whites to sell Roca for a cut price fee next summer, just because Real Betis are keen to secure his services on a permanent basis and they should ensure they get a good fee for him, especially as he will have two years left on his deal at Elland Road.

Should the Whites return to the Premier League, they may well be keen to restore Roca to Daniel Farke's first team especially if he is to continue to build from his impressive start with Betis both in La Liga and in the Europa League where he has been in exceptional form.

While it is unlikely Leeds will earn back the £10 million they forked out for Roca 18 months ago, they could get an incredibly reasonable fee not a million miles away from that next summer. Even if Betis aren't able to afford the transfer, there will be other teams keen to secure the 26-year-old's services.

In other Leeds United news, Danish media have slammed Rasmus Kristensen for his int'l display describing the defender as a "goblin"