Diego Llorente has impressed over at Roma after struggling during his two and a half years in a Leeds United shirt – and they plan to sign him on a permanent basis for £4m, but there’s a catch.
The 30-year-old managed just 59 games for Leeds after joining the club in the summer of 2020, and then leaving in January 2023 on loan. In just over a year at Roma, he has clocked up 39 appearances.
A bit-part player in Roma’s climb to the Europa League final last season, he has been first choice this time around with Chris Smalling injured for the entire campaign. Llorente has played 27 games this term.
The Spain star has been playing in the middle of a back three under Jose Mourinho – and then, Daniele De Rossi has continued to use Llorente in his back four after replacing Mourinho. He’s set for Roma.
Roma set to sign Diego Llorente but want to sell in summer
They have a permanent £4.25m option in the loan, and Roma have agreed to strike that deal – having opened talks over the clause in the summer. But, La Repubblica say Roma are planning to sell him.
Given the bargain fee Roma can sign Llorente for, Roma have identified Llorente as a player that can bring in a profit – with PSG interested in the Spain man. A player Marcelo Bielsa said is “very good”.
Roma want to sign loan addition Dean Huijsen permanently in the summer and need to raise funds to be able to do that. Selling Llorente for a fee north of the £4.25m clause in his loan will help them do that.
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