Leeds United defender Diego Llorente has long been mooted for a switch to Serie A side AS Roma and the two clubs are believed to be currently “sealing the agreement” regarding the move, according to Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio.
Yet there is a twist. The deal was expected to be a season-long loan with an obligation/option to buy clause inserted into it, but a recent tweet from Di Marzio suggests this is no longer the case.
Whilst Llorente going on loan to Roma will aid Leeds in balancing the account books following their relegation from the Premier League last season, it is unsure where the Spaniard fits into the hierarchy’s long-term plans in West Yorkshire.
And this is certainly something that Leeds will need to consider, given that the 29-year-old signed a three-and-a-half year contract extension last winter. As things stand, this will seem him remain a Whites player until the summer of 2026 at the latest.
Regardless of the circumstances of his departure Llorente looks bound for the Elland Road exit door, following fellow centre-back Robin Koch whose season-long loan deal with German club Eintracht Frankfurt was confirmed by Leeds yesterday.
Following the completion of Llorente’s move to the Stadio Olimpico, Di Marzio reports that Roma will also work to agree a “simple loan deal” for the services of another Whites man, Rasmus Kristensen.
“@OfficialASRoma and @LUFC are sealing the agreement for #Llorente,” Di Marzio wrote.
“He’ll join Roma, but the formula has changed: it will be a simple loan – no option/obligation to buy.
“Next week, Roma and #LUFC will also work to agree a simple loan deal for #Kristensen.”
This development comes following the appointment of new Leeds manager Daniel Farke earlier this week, with the two-time Championship winner focussed on building a squad capable of taking the Whites back to the top-flight at the first time of asking.
Taking the proverbial
Just proves Radz was not fit to run the club, Risdale Mk II