Leeds United man's Elland Road exit strategy reportedly collapses as manager performs transfer U-turn — YEP 18/6/24

By Joe Donnohue

Leeds United defender Diego Llorente is no longer wanted by AS Roma boss Daniele De Rossi, according to reports in Italy.

The Spanish defender has spent the past 18 months at Stadio Olimpico, representing the Italian side on 54 occasions, but remains contracted at Leeds until the summer of 2026.

Llorente was in line to complete a permanent move to the Serie A club this summer, but reports in the Italian press now claim Giallorossi boss De Rossi no longer seeks the 30-year-old's services in 2024/25.

According to Il Messaggero, 2006 FIFA World Cup winner De Rossi has performed a U-turn with regards to his transfer decisions this summer and could shake up the defensive options at his disposal following the departure of previous sporting director Tiago Pinto, who signed off on Llorente's arrival.

Florian Ghisolfi has assumed the sporting directorship role at Roma as of four weeks ago, prior to which it had been heavily suggested the club would complete a permanent move for Llorente somewhere between the £3-5 million mark.

Now, it appears the club may move on from Llorente entirely, if reports on the continent are to be believed, which would leave the Leeds defender with something of a dilemma. Llorente initially expressed his desire to leave Leeds a year-and-a-half ago citing personal reasons. Permission was subsequently granted by then-head coach Jesse Marsch and Llorente has not returned to Leeds since, extending his initial six-month loan stay for an additional year last summer.

Corriere dello Sport corroborate claims made by Il Messaggero by suggesting under new sporting director Ghisolfi, Roma are re-evaluating their recruitment decisions and squad make-up, particularly in defence.

If Llorente is unable to secure a permanent stay with Roma, it remains unlikely he will return to Thorp Arch this summer and instead could be expected to seal a further loan move or permanent switch back to his native Spain.

Leeds, however, may be keen to sell Llorente once-and-for-all in order to raise funds for their assault on the Championship title. The Whites would likely be able to report a profit in their financial accounts by doing so, as the vast majority of Llorente's initial £16 million transfer fee has already been amortised over the past four years of his contract.