Roma and Leeds United are putting the finishing touches on Diego Llorente’s loan move back to Italy.
However, according to Gianluca Di Marzio, the deal will no longer include an obligation to buy with the formula having changed from earlier in the week.
Di Marzio had initially reported there would be a mandatory purchase option of £4.3 million if Llorente was to appear in 50% of Roma’s matches this season.
However, that seemingly will no longer be the case with the Italian journalist stating it will now just be a straight loan, with the two clubs working to seal the final agreement.
This will be the second time Roma have opted against having to commit to buy Llorente fully, with the Europa League finalists deciding not to trigger the £18 million permanent option they had in his initial loan deal last season/
Llorente’s second Roma loan won’t include purchase option
This is a frustrating development from Leeds’ point of view as it had appeared as though an agreement was in place for Llorente to move permanently in 12 months’ time.
Negotiations between Leeds and Roma have been going on for some time now and from the outside looking in, it feels like the Italian club have messed the Whites around.
Leeds are now going to be stuck in the same situation this time next year where they will be with a player they do not want, who also does not want to return to Elland Road.
That said, the good thing for Leeds is it finally looks as though this deal is drawing to some sort of conclusion, meaning his wages will be off the books.
This will allow them to free up some salary space to start making some of their own signings, which must surely start kicking into action next week.
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