AS Roma will look to sell Leeds United loanee Diego Llorente once they complete his permanent transfer this summer, according to La Repubblica.
The 30-year-old initially joined the Italians on a six-month loan deal a year ago, making 12 appearances before re-joining on a season-long deal last summer. Reports emerged in December claiming that the Italians had negotiated a €5 million obligation to buy clause which would come into effect should he feature in 50% of Roma’s games this season.
Llorente has featured in all-but-two of the 2023 Europa League finalists Serie A games this season, meaning it appears a formality that he will make the switch to Rome at the end of the campaign. However, the plan looks to be to cash in upon completion of the deal.
Via Get Football News Italy, Roma need to raise €50 million this summer, and Llorente is seen as someone in which they can make a significant profit on. The centre-back has been in excellent form this season, despite Roma sitting 19 points behind leaders Inter Milan.
They made the decision to part company with Jose Mourinho last month before swiftly appointing Daniele De Rossi. Since then, I Giallorossi have won three games on the bounce and have moved to within one point of the Champions League spots.
Llorente joined Leeds in 2020 for a fee of £18 million from La Liga outfit Real Sociedad but struggled with injuries in his debut campaign. He recovered to help the Whites secure a top half finish in their first season back in the Premier League before making 28 top flight appearances to help the West Yorkshire club avoid relegation on the final day the following year.
The Spanish international fell out of favour during the early stages of the 2022/23 season before making the switch to Italy in the January transfer window.
It is claimed that Roma have agreed to pay the €5 million fee to Leeds before the end of the season in order to complete the deal.
Writer’s View
Roma have achieved an excellent deal here, so it’s no surprise that they will look to make an immediate return on their acquisition. With Leeds having paid £18 million for Llorente’s services, one has to question why they were willing to allow him to leave so cheaply when he still under contract until 2026.
Wages are likely to have been a factor, as well as it being highly unlikely that he would be able to break back into first team plans under Daniel Farke. Of course, there is no guarantee that the Whites will be playing Premier League football next season, so perhaps the defender was also unwilling to return.
Head of Writing
