Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca is enjoying his time on loan at Real Betis and the Spanish club hope to make the deal permanent by the end of the season, according to Estadio Deportivo.
A highly-rated talent in La Liga with Espanyol, Roca eventually earned a big-time move to German giants Bayern Munich, European champions at the time, in 2020. However, following a dismal stint at the Allianz Arena, the Spaniard sought a move to pastures new in the summer of 2022.
Leeds had just avoided relegation the season prior under Jesse Marsch and were splashing the cash in the hope of preventing an identical scenario ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. Roca was one of the club’s high-profile signings, moving to Elland Road from Bayern for an undisclosed fee.
Upon signing for the Peacocks, Roca had a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave on loan should the club suffer relegation to the Championship. Several other players, including Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen, had this privilege too.
In mid-July of the most recent summer window, Roca was sent on loan to Real Betis in Spain, coached by Premier League-winning manager Manuel Pellegrini and Estadio Deportivo are claiming that the player has settled in perfectly.
The 26-year-old admitted this himself in a recent interview with Radio Sevilla [quotes via Estadio Deportivo]:
“Right now I have a contract with Leeds (until 2026). It is the two teams who have to agree, but right now I am comfortable and very happy.”
While there is no option or obligation-to-buy clause in the loan agreement, Estadio have revealed that ‘a lot of ground has been covered’ to get a permanent deal done in the future.
Writer’s View
It is clear from Roca’s comments that he is more than happy under Pellegrini at Betis and will be playing UEFA Europa League football this term.
A return to Elland Road over the coming twelve months is highly unlikely unless a fee cannot be agreed between the two clubs over a permanent transfer for Roca.
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