Leeds United have agreed a deal with Spanish top-flight side Real Betis for the transfer of centre-back Diego Llorente, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
The Seville outfit have been chasing the Spaniard for most of this window, having already had two offers rejected. Their third approach has now seen that offer rise to £2.5million, a value that both parties seem to be happy with.
The 30-year-old has spent the last 18 months away from Elland Road, in an extended loan spell with Italian giants Roma. Having played 54 games in that spell, the former Real Madrid academy graduate became a mainstay at the Stadio Olimpico.
There were rumours that Roma had planned to exercise the buy option in the loan deal for Llorente just to sell him on in a bid to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules, but that never materialised, allowing Betis to swoop in and take advantage.
Daniel Farke has wasted no time in beginning the rebuild at Leeds following their failed bid at promotion back to the Premier League. Numerous players have already left the side, with Archie Gray’s transfer to Tottenham Hotspur being the most notable.
Squad players have also been allowed the opportunity to move on should they wish, with the former Roma loanee one of many set to depart the Yorkshire club.
There were major concerns at the start of the window that passing the rules governing Profit and Sustainability would be a tough task, however, with Red Bull’s investment and Gray’s sale, those concerns have been eased.
However, allowing fringe options on expensive contracts the chance to leave the club will result in Farke being able to spend this summer, something he will surely want to do as he bids to get back to the top-flight at the second time of asking.
Writer’s View
Although this is being reported as a player exit from Leeds, it isn’t really. Llorente hasn’t been at Elland Road for the past year and a half and has thus never played under the German manager.
Therefore, this would likely have been an easy decision for the club to make once the offer met their valuation. £2.5 Million may not seem like a massive chunk, but with their current strategy of moving numerous players on at a similar value, it will likely increase their spending power.
