Leeds United loanee Marc Roca could return to Elland Road at the end of the season due to Real Betis’ budgetary restrictions, according to the latest reports.
Roca moved to Leeds in the summer of 2022 for £10 million, having struggled for game-time at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich after making just 24 appearances in all competitions for the German giants.
Unfortunately, the Spaniard’s time in Yorkshire didn’t go as well as he’d have hoped. Roca was a regular in Leeds’ starting lineup, featuring 32 times in 38 Premier League games as the Peacocks were relegated back down to the Championship.
Upon signing for the club, Roca was one of many players to have a relegation clause inserted into his contract, protecting him from having to take a 60% wage reduction if the side were condemned to the second tier by forbidding him from playing in the competition.
As a result, the midfielder was sent out on loan to La Liga side Real Betis. Roca has done really well under Manuel Pellegrini in his native country and the club have an option to buy the player at the end of the season.
However, Phil Hay from The Athletic has admitted that Betis’ tight budget could be an obstacle for any permanent deal, although the journalist did reveal that Leeds do not want Roca back [quotes via Caught Offside]:
“Betis sought an option to sign Roca permanently, and the only obstacle for them might be their tight budget.
“They are not cash-rich. But Leeds have no plans to re-involve him and people close to Roca say he is also minded to think that his days at Elland Road are done.
“His £10 million move from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022 goes down as another failed transfer.”
Writer’s View
This may be an unpopular opinion but Marc Roca would suit Daniel Farke’s style of play and could be a useful asset for the German coach, although it’s unlikely he’ll feature for the Whites again.
Roca’s signing never worked out for Leeds but, given his excellent displays in Spain, the club could still recuperate the £10 million that was paid for him eighteen months ago.
