Leeds United could be set to make a huge loss on one of the club’s many loaned-out players next summer, according to the latest reports.
In 2020, the Yorkshire club managed to gain promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in almost two decades, with the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa being instrumental to the team’s success on the pitch.
Bielsa had a massive say on transfers, hence why the club wasted plenty of money after the legendary Argentine coach was dismissed in February 2022. In fact, Leeds spent more than £140 million during Jesse Marsch’s time in charge alone, eventually ending the 2022/23 campaign inside the relegation zone and back in the Championship.
Nevertheless, one of Bielsa’s first signings upon promotion to the top flight was to bring Real Sociedad defender Diego Llorente to Elland Road for a reported £18 million which was a huge coup at the time given La Real are one of the best teams in Spain.
The Spanish centre-back didn’t feature much in his debut season in English football, making merely 15 appearances in all competitions as he acclimatised to the speed of the game and the team itself.
However, the following season, Llorente was an integral member of the lineup, featuring 31 times, including 28 in the Premier League.
Leeds were relegated last term, but Llorente didn’t have much to do with it as he was sent out on loan to Italian giants Roma midway through the campaign, joining on a short-term deal with an £18 million option-to-buy.
The Giallorossi never took Leeds up on their deal to acquire his services permanently for the agreed sum but did manage to secure his signature for another season temporarily.
Diego Llorente's assist 🤤
Lukaku's finish 😤@OfficialASRoma || #UEL pic.twitter.com/KKf0iUpuYr— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) December 9, 2023
Now, according to Roma Metropolitan, via Caught Offside, Leeds will sell the player for just £4.3 million at the end of the season to Roma, meaning the English side will make a loss of £13.6 million.
Writer’s View
This was another one of Leeds United’s disastrous signings in the Premier League and will make a massive loss on the now-30-year-old, having never seen him at his best.
However, Roma will be getting a steal by signing the Spain international for just £4 million. He may not be the best defender in the world but would still do a job in Daniel Farke’s squad now and is worth a bit more than a measly couple of million.
Deputy Head of Writing
