Leeds United‘s on-loan midfielder Marc Roca has revealed in a recent interview that his representatives are in talks with Real Betis over the possibility of completing a permanent deal.
The Peacocks pulled off an exciting transfer in the summer of 2022 by bringing Roca to Elland Road in a deal worth £10 million after the Spaniard struggled for game-time in Germany with Bayern Munich.
Roca was a key member of Leeds’ squad last season but for all the wrong reasons as the Yorkshire club were relegated back down to the second tier, having spent just under £100 million at the beginning of the campaign.
The Spain international was one of many players with a relegation clause inserted into his contract. This stipulation forbade Roca from playing in the Championship to protect the player against a 60% reduction in wages.
Upon relegation, the 26-year-old was sent out on loan to La Liga side Real Betis, although there was no option-to-buy clause added to the deal.
Nevertheless, Roca has been loving life in Seville and in a recent interview with PTV Sevilla, the midfielder admitted that talks are ongoing with Betis but that there are a lot of complications with the deal [quotes via Football Espana]:
“We’ll see (about my future). It’s true that we’re in contact with the club. We’ll see how everything evolves. It’s up to my agent to reach an agreement, and then Betis will have to talk to Leeds. We’ll see how the negotiations progress, but I’m very comfortable and very happy.
“It’s not as easy as it seems. It’s not like ‘sign here’ and that’s it. There are contracts, many interests from one club and another, and everyone tries to make the most of the situation. I’m waiting, looking at everything from the outside. My job is to keep training hard, and that’s what I will do. I live in the present.”
Writer’s View
Leeds United still have a final say about whether or not Roca stays or leaves, providing the Peacocks are promoted back to the Premier League.
While Roca would actually suit Daniel Farke’s system due to his impressive passing range and calmness under pressure, it would be in everyone’s best interests if Leeds and Betis agree on a price that both are happy with to allow him to move back home permanently.
Deputy Head of Writing
