As reported by well-followed Leeds United reporter Phil Hay, the club are set to part ways with Spanish centre back Diego Llorente, as he sets his sights on Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma side.
New contract agreed on December 23 but now Diego Llorente is heading to Roma on loan – and potentially permanently.
Meanwhile, Leeds United working to wrap up the signing of young defender Diogo Monteiro from Servette.
Story here via @TheAthleticFC:https://t.co/HXHryr6CxH
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) January 30, 2023
Reported this morning, Llorente is said to have travelled to Italy and is likely to complete his switch to the Serie A side today.
The move will initially be on a loan basis, but it is understood that Leeds and Roma are in the process of agreeing a fee for an obligation to buy clause at the end of the 2022-23 season, as the Yorkshire club seek to recoup some of their £18 million expenses in bringing Diego Llorente to Elland Road.
Llorente, 29, hasn’t played a whole lot of football for Leeds this season, primarily being used as a substitute. In reality, his form throughout last season and this season has been the reason for the lack of game time, and a fresh start is probably best for his footballing career.
Typically, when a player isn’t featuring in the first team, its not the biggest surprise when they leave a club. In some respects, that is true in this instance with Llorente. However, what is surprising is that the defender put pen to paper on a contract extension at Elland Road as recently as December 23rd. A new contract for Llorente at Leeds wasn’t quite on the bingo card to begin with, so it was unusual at the time – even more so now that Leeds are willing to let him go just over a month after.
Hopefully it works out for him at Roma with Mourinho.
We’ll keep you posted with all the updates as it shapes up to be a busy end to the transfer window at Leeds, with a star midfielder set to join the club after completing his medical.