Spanish website Diario De Sevilla report that Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca has told his ‘closest circle’ that he wants to leave Elland Road and join La Liga side Real Betis – with Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini ‘finally convinced’.
Roca, 26, has struggled at Leeds. He joined the club with huge hype surrounding him, having spent the prior two seasons at Bayern Munich. But he only ever managed 24 outings for the German champions. Off he went to Leeds.
Costing £10m, the early signs were that Leeds had got themselves a bargain. But as the season grew older, it was clear Roca could not hack the intensity of the Premier League. Jesse Marsch protected him somewhat, subbing him.
But when Tyler Adams picked up and injury, he was forced to start and finish matches and it saw Roca’s major flaw appear – his inability to maintain standards for an entire 90 minutes. After relegation, he is expected to leave Leeds.
Roca has told closest circle he wants to leave Leeds and join Betis
Betis, who have qualified for the Europa League, are keen on adding depth in the middle of the park with William Carvalho expected to go. A loan, with an option, is likely. Now, Roca has told his ‘closest friends’ he wants to go.
The report from Diario De Sevilla also says that while Roca has been tracked by Betis for a number of seasons, it has taken until now for ex-West Ham and Man City boss Pellegrini to be ‘convinced’ by the £31k-a-week midfielder.
Roca was in attendance at Leeds Beckett University on Monday for pre-season testing, posting pictures alongside Georginio Rutter and Darko Gyabi on his Instagram story. But the chances are, he will leave Leeds this summer.
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