Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca will leave the club this summer for another season, according to reports in Spain.
Roca spent last season on loan in La Liga, turning out for Real Betis under former West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini. There’s been clear confusion over the transfer, with Betis reportedly not able to afford a deal at one stage last season. However, talks continued over autumn, with a fee of around €10m placed on the player’s head. Roca then reportedly agreed terms to remain in Spain, only to fall out of favour and leave the move on the brink of collapse.
Now, El Desmarque reports that he will return to Betis, describing it as a formality and the club’s commitment to the deal ‘firm’. A move is set to be confirmed before July 8th, when the club reports back for pre-season training. Roca, a former Bayern Munich midfielder, has bought a house in the area and is settled and ready to fight for his place in the side.
It’s no surprise he’s focused on a return. A Catalan by birth, he won the Segunda Division with Espanyol before moving to Bayern Munich in 2020. He was a two-time Bundesliga winner, albeit playing just 24 times across two seasons, before moving to Elland Road on a four-year contract worth a reported £12 million fee. After the Whites were relegated in 2023, he left on loan, following in the footsteps of a number of players.
Had Leeds been promoted, he would likely have returned to the club, where a decision would have been made over his future. However, the club’s defeat in the play-off final has left them needing to cut their cloth accordingly, and the 27-year-old now looks set for another switch from Elland Road.
The report suggests talks are ongoing over a permanent transfer, with Leeds lowering their player valuation in a bid to get things moving. The power does seem to be with Betis, who are thought to be ready to splash the cash in the market this summer. They’re keen on taking the player to Estadio Benito Villamarín permanently but will only do so if the terms of the move are entirely suitable to them.
Writer’s View
There’s no surprise here. Roca is a Catalan by birth, and he’s keen to remain in Spain despite being made to fight for his place last season. Betis have finished in the top ten for the last four La Liga seasons in a row, and Roca was a key part of their success in the early part of last season.
The preference here is surely a permanent deal. Leeds could do with the funds to invest in their squad, and it would give Roca and Betis a little stability going forward. The last thing you’d imagine any party really wants is another loan, and another year of uncertainty.
No, it would be better for the parties to agree on a price, and bring to an end what seems like an unhappy Elland Road stay for Roca.
Founder of The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
