Leeds United Transfer On Brink Of Collapse

A transfer seemingly agreed between Leeds United and Real Betis could be on the brink of collapse, according to reports coming out of Spain.

27-year-old Marc Roca has spent the season on loan with the La Liga club, with the player having agreed on terms to join Los Verdiblancos, either permanently or on loan, in the summer. They’ve finished sixth in La Liga table, qualifying for Europe, but it seems Roca has not been a significant part of their plans.

Roca has not appeared for his club since March 7th, having been withdrawn at half time of a 2-1 defeat against Atletico Madrid days earlier. Betis, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, have since thrived, leaving the midfielder in an awkward position, which Estadio Deportivo suggests is at odds with the agreement to make the move permanent.

They describe Roca as being ‘ostracised’ at Betis, but that isn’t something the manager’s quotes have confirmed, or denied.

 “I try to put the starting eleven that I think will make us win. I can’t be aware of whether a player needs more or less minutes,” said the former Manchester City boss recently. “Marc Roca is still important for us. It also brings very important things to the table. Outside, on the bench or working with us,” he added, despite not having brought him off the bench in two months.

Roca, a Catalan by birth, won the Segunda Division with Espanyol, before a move to Bayern Munich. He was a two-time Bundesliga winner, albeit playing just 24 times across two seasons, before a move to Elland Road on a four-year contract worth a reported £12 million fee. However, after the Whites were relegated he left on loan, following in the footsteps of Rasmus Kristensen, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Brenden Aaronson and Rodrigo.

That did seem to signal a return to Spain on a permanent basis, but that is now ‘jeopardised’ according to reports, leaving the seemingly certain transfer on the brink of collapse.

Writer’s View

If the deal is on the brink of collapse, it might not be the worst thing. Up until he was frozen out, Roca was a key part of Betis’ push up the table, chipping in with goals and appearing in Europe.

He started 29 times in the Premier League as they were relegated, and therefore has experience. At 27, he is supposedly in his prime, and would feel a lot like a new signing for the Whites.

If he fits the profile of player Daniel Farke could work with, then he’s an experienced and able midfielder, Premier League-ready, effectively new to the manager and costing the club nothing. This ‘deal’ collapsing could be the best outcome for the Whites over the summer, if they go up.

If not, he’s an expensive white elephant they’ll almost certainly want t move on again, on loan or permanently.

RELATED ARTICLES

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

Leave a Reply