‘This one’s happening’ – ESPN journo says Leeds on brink of another signing; fee could be £13.7m
ESPN UK editor David Cartlidge has relayed news from Spanish journalist Mikel Recalde about Leeds United signing Diego Llorente.
The move for the Real Sociedad centre-back appears to be picking up pace, with Spanish journalist Recalde saying that terms of the deal could be agreed later on Tuesday.
Cartlidge said that Recalde is “very trustworthy and close to Real Sociedad” and added, “This one is happening”.
The story, from Recalde, said that the fee for Llorente would be between £13.7m and £18.3m (€15m-€20m), with Cartlidge picking up on the upper end of the valuation.
Either would see Real Sociedad making a big profit on a player they paid just over £6m for three years ago.
The lower end would see Leeds saving on the £18m fee they were reportedly willing to pay for 18-year-old Josko Gvardiol before he turned down a move.
Decisive move
It looks like Leeds have moved very quickly for Llorente after the move for Josko Gvardiol fell through.
It means Marcelo Bielsa will have the problem of three senior centre-backs playing for two spots, but that’s an issue that Leeds fans will relish.
The centre of defence has been an issue for Leeds ever since Marcelo Bielsa arrived with any injuries seeing youngsters drafted in.
The good thing about Llorente is that he will be, to borrow a phrase, ‘oven-ready’ and also offers versatility across other positions.
He can play in the centre of defence, as a right-back and as a defensive midfielder, which will provide Bielsa with cover if Kalvin Phillips is injured or suspended.
That could have been the key that swung the move, with Leeds looking to agree terms as early as later today.
It’s the sort of transfer story we like – quick and decisive – and it would see Llorente become the third major new signing of the summer, after Rodrigo (£27m) and Robin Koch (£13m).
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