Diego Llorente in double transfer as Leeds United exit update drops
Leeds United defender Diego Llorente will be one of two new transfers made by LaLiga Real Betis this week, according to Gonzalo Tortosa.
The Spanish journalist posted on X with an update, stating that Llorente, along with ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian, will both take part in Betis’ pre-season camp in Austria later this week.
Betis begin their pre-season training on Tuesday (July 9) and fly to Austria the following day, with medical examinations, presumably for both Llorente and Adrian, taking place beforehand.
The La Liga side have been hopeful of signing Llorente for some weeks, but having seen an initial bid rejected by the Elland Road, now look set to complete a transfer for the 30-year-old centre-back [Mucho Deporte, 5 July].
Diego Llorente transfer looks inevitable in Leeds United exit
Llorente finally completing his drawn-out transfer to Betis will bring the end to a saga that has exemplified the chaos at Elland Road in the wake of the Whites’ relegation from the Premier League [Diegolarom, 6 July].
The Spaniard was already out of the door by then, having been sent on loan to Roma in January 2023 after the arrival of Max Wober, and Llorente rejoined the Italian side following United’s demotion.
Therefore, of all the players who jumped ship ahead of the new Championship season, including Wober, Llorente always looked least likely to play for the club again, given he was already sporting new colours.
While Roma reneged on signing Llorente permanently despite playing fairly regularly over 18 months in the Italian capital, Betis – who have also signed Marc Roca permanently – are willing to take the punt [Daily Mirror, 19 June].
The 30-year-old therefore will still have a former Whites team-mate for company in Roca, as he did last season with Rasmus Kristensen, but that seems as close as he’ll ever get to an Elland Road return.
In other Leeds news, the club are eyeing an ideal replacement for departed youngster Archie Gray.
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