Leeds United ‘moving towards agreement’ over loan departure with €10m ‘obligation to buy’ clause - YEP 19/6/23
Diego Llorente appears to be on his way out of Leeds United this summer
By Ben McKenna
Leeds United and AS Roma are ‘moving towards an agreement’
over a proposed deal for defender Diego Llorente, according to reports in
Italy.
The 29-year-old moved to the Serie A club on loan in
January, making 12 appearances in all competitions as Jose Mourinho’s side
reached the Europa League final, which they lost on penalties to Sevilla.
Roma had an €18million option to buy Llorente at the end of
the season and despite a desire to keep the player, the Italian outfit were
unwilling to meet the original price tag.
Now Corriere Dello Sport, via Roma Giallorossa, report Roma
want to sign the player on loan for another season with a €10million obligation
to buy the player if certain conditions are met. These would include individual
and team performance targets.
Llorente joined Leeds in September 2020 for a reported
£18million, penning a four-year deal. His first league goal for the club came
in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool in April 2021.
The centre-back was poised to be out of contract at the end
of next season but signed a new deal at the club in December, extending his
stay at Elland Road until the summer of 2026. But just over one month later he
made the move to Italy.
His extended contract does give Leeds more bargaining power,
as there is no risk of losing the player on a free transfer next summer.
Llorente started two Europa League games for Roma, as well
as making an appearance in the final. Five of his Serie A appearances came from
the start, with the other four coming off the bench.
“He has great international experience but needed a bit of
time to learn how to play with us,” Mourinho said of the player in April.
