Real Betis transfer update emerges in pursuit of Leeds United man Marc Roca
Real Betis now want to sign Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca on a full transfer, according to Marca.
The Spanish newspaper reported (18 June) that due to Leeds’ failure to gain promotion last season, Roca is allowed to spend another season out on loan having done so with La Liga side Betis in the 2023-24 campaign..
However, Marca states that Manuel Pellegrini would prefer to “own” the defensive midfielder outright.
The report also goes on to claim that “there are no doubts” with the situation of Roca and, “barring a major surprise”, the Spaniard should be continuing with Betis next season.
Why the departure of Marc Roca could be ideal for Leeds United this summer
Despite having a solid season with Leeds during the campaign that they were relegated from the Premier League, Roca hasn’t been much of a miss from Daniel Farke’s line-up this term.
With the likes of Ilia Gruev, Glen Kamara, Ethan Ampadu and Archie Gray all capable of playing central midfield, the Whites have good options in the centre of the park.
Ampadu in particular was Mr. Versatile at Elland Road last term, excelling both in centre of midfield and defence whenever needed for Farke’s side.
In fact, as per Sofascore, defensively Ampadu has been far superior to that of Roca with the Wales international making on average 1.4 interceptions per game and managing to recover 6.9 balls in the Championship.
Roca, on the other hand, only managed a total of 0.7 interceptions per game and 5.7 balls recovered – albeit he was playing top-flight football in Spain.
The sale of Roca would also help with Leeds’ troubles with PSR and could allow the club to retain the likes of Illan Meslier who has recently been linked with a move away from Elland Road [The Athletic, 14 June].
It could also help the West Yorkshire outfit with the sale of Max Wober as they potentially wouldn’t have to demand as high of a fee for the Austria international [Bild, 17 June.]
In other Leeds news, the Whites have been handed a transfer boost in their pursuit of Alfie Gilchrist from Chelsea.
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