Marc Roca to leave Leeds United soon, will start pre-season at new club on 4 July

Wed 28 June 2023 8:40, UK

Spanish side Real Betis are optimistic that a deal for Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca will be completed in time for the beginning of pre-season, according to Gonzalo Tortosa.

The 26-year-old could be set to leave the club on loan after just one season at Elland Road following his arrival from Bayern Munich last summer.

It was a campaign that ended in the disappointment of relegation from the Premier League, and El Chiringuito TV journalist Tortosa is now reporting that Roca is set to quit Leeds and return to his native Spain with Betis.

🟢Sobre el Real Betis.
Contado en @elchiringuitotv:

Hay optimismo y se espera que Bellerín, Marc Roca y Ayoze Pérez puedan empezar la pretemporada los días 4 y 5 de julio.

Como adelantamos, los 3 están apalabrados a esperas de que haya salidas y se libere espacio salarial.
— Gonzalo Tortosa (@GonzaloTortosa) June 27, 2023

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Tortosa provided the update to his official Twitter page (27 June), writing: “There is optimism and it is expected that Bellerín, Marc Roca and Ayoze Pérez can start the preseason on July 4 and 5.”

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“As we anticipate, the 3 are ready to wait for there to be exits and salary space to be released.”

As reported by Leeds Live (23 June) the deal will reportedly be a loan with an option to buy, despite the club’s reluctance to include a clause.

Poor business

It just hasn’t worked out so far for Roca in a Leeds shirt.

There is clearly a talented player there with a keen eye for a pass, but there just appeared at times to be a lack of grit and mobility, two traits that are vital operate in the engine room of a Premier League team.

Roca is clearly far more suited for a possession-based style of football, which is so often played in Spain’s top flight and he could be a real hit at his new side next season.

For the Spaniard, it is a brilliant move as he gets set to play in Europe and La Liga next season rather than the Championship, but for Leeds it does not feel a particularly good deal.

With Roca keen on the move, the club would be best suited to moving him on now. If he does not have a positive 2023/24 campaign, Betis will have no obligation to buy him and the Whites will be stuck with an unhappy player next summer.

In other Leeds United news, with a string of expected exits on the cards, this club star could be the last man standing.