Report claims Leeds United transfer 'agreement reached' but talks continue over €10m discrepancy - YEP 21/6/23
Leeds United and AS Roma have ‘reached an agreement’ for the loan of Diego Llorente for another season, according to multiple reports in Italy.
By Joe Donnohue
The Spanish defender initially joined the Europa League
finalists back in January, with previous Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch citing
personal reasons and a desire to play more frequently as the reasons for
Llorente’s departure.
An €18 million option to buy was reportedly inserted into
Llorente’s original loan deal, but Roma have decided not to exercise that
option following his six-month spell with the Giallorossi.
The Italian club do intend to keep Llorente, however they
hope to do so with another loan – this time spanning the entire 2023/24 season.
Reports in Italy via Sky Italia and Gianluca Di Marzio claim
an ‘agreement has been reached’ over said loan deal, although there are still
issues which need to be ironed out relating to a new transfer option and
whether one will be included at all.
Roma are hopeful Leeds will agree to a lower figure, with
€10 million mooted in the Italian press as a more palatable sum for the Serie A
side to part with next summer.
Leeds signed Llorente to a new long-term contract last
December before sending the centre-back out on loan to Jose Mourinho’s side. He
remains a Leeds player until 2026 but it appears his future lies elsewhere with
the Whites dropping into the Championship last season.