Diego Llorente has left Leeds United on a loan-to-buy deal to join Jose Mourinho’s Roma in a deal that could reach as much as £16.4million – and he has told Roma’s site that a move from Leeds to the Serie A side is a “big step forward”.
Llorente, 29, has played back-up to Robin Koch and with the signing of Max Wober, Leeds allowed the Spain star to go on loan to Roma. It sees the defender form a reunion with boss Mourinho – who gave him his debut at Real Madrid.
The defender does leave a bit of a gap on the right side of the centre-back options. Robin Koch remains first choice. Llorente was cover. But, he has now joined Roma and could make his debut on Wednesday night in the Coppa Italia.
Speaking to the club’s website after completing a move to Roma from Leeds – which Gianluca Di Marzio reports has cost the Serie A side £440,000 up front, and a permanent £15.9m fee – he said that Roma is a big step up from Leeds.
“When the possibility of coming to Roma was presented to me I did not need to think about it twice,” Llorente said. “Coming here is a big step forward for me in my career and I want to make the most of this opportunity.”
Diego Llorente says Roma move from Leeds a big step forward
Of course, Roma are a huge club and with Mourinho’s side in the knockout stages of the Europa League, they are certainly in a better position. But, was it necessary and secondly, are his comments pre-empting a permanent move?
It looks clear that Llorente has already left Leeds behind in his mind as he focuses on impressing at Roma. Impressing enough, to earn a permanent deal. But if he now does return to Leeds – he has said that Roma is a step up from us.
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