By Callum O'Connell

14th Sep, 2023 | 8:10pm

Marc Roca edging closer to permanent Leeds United exit as Real Betis stance shared

Leeds United loanee Marc Roca is edging closer to a permanent exit from Elland Road, as he has a “total predisposition” to stay at Real Betis beyond this season, according to Estadio Deportivo.

The Spanish news outlet shared via their website on 14 September that Roca favours a permanent move to Betis as he feels valued and appreciated by the club, and enjoys the affection his teammates and fans have given him.

The report also claims that Roca is “so attached” to Betis that it feels like he has been at the club for years, rather than the couple of months since he arrived in Spain from Leeds.

Leeds can move on without him

As is the case with the majority of players that left Elland Road in the mass exodus of stars following their relegation from the Premier League, the club will be viewing their long-term future without Roca, so his desire for a permanent move will not be fought.

The fans at Elland Road are not exactly a forgiving bunch, and the players who left as they didn’t want to help in the fight for promotion from the Championship are unlikely to be given a warm reception when they return to the club.

The likes of Robin Koch and Brenden Aaronson also left Elland Road on a season-long loan deal, both heading to Bundesliga clubs and also seem to be out of Leeds’ long-term plans for the future, at least as things stand.

Daniel Farke moved over the summer to improve his side’s midfield and fill the hole left by Roca in particular, with Glen Kamara, Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev arriving at Elland Road, while 17-year-old Archie Gray has stepped up massively so far this season.

Even if Roca wanted to stay, questions marks would loom over whether the current squad has any place for him.

In other Leeds United news, the club made the right call as they swerved a potential transfer mistake.