Italian outlet CalcioMercato claim Diego Llorente has ‘fallen in love’ with Roma and is desperate to complete a deal that sees him remain with Jose Mourinho’s side in the summer – and leave Leeds despite signing a new contract.
Llorente, 29, finally earned his first Serie A start on Sunday in a 3-0 win over Sampdoria on Sunday. Just his fourth outing in all competitions for the Italian side. Roma play a back three, but Llorente is the club’s fourth-choice option.
Indeed, Chris Smalling, Gianluca Mancini and Roger Ibanez all sit ahead of the Spain star in the pecking order. But, he impressed in his first start – helping Roma keep a clean sheet. Jose Mourinho heaped praise on the defender.
Roma do boast the option to sign him permanently, for a fee of £15.8million. But, CM state that while Roma would like to keep Llorente – with Llorente desperate to remain beyond the end of the season – that fee is too expensive.
Indeed, if a permanent deal is to be arranged for the Leeds defender, then the two clubs would have to enter talks. Director of football Tiago Pinto would have to pull the transfer fee down. Reports earlier this week say around £13m.
Llorente fallen in love with Roma, desperate to leave Leeds permanently
It was the right move for Leeds to sanction his loan exit in January. Robin Koch has been a mainstay in the Leeds side, starting 28 of our 29 Premier League matches. Rasmus Kristensen and Luke Ayling can cover Koch if needed.
The Whites also have left-footed options at centre-back. Liam Cooper, Max Wober and Pascal Struijk. Charlie Cresswell is impressing out on loan – while Kris Moore and Diogo Monteiro are impressing in the Under-21 side.
So, selling Llorente this summer makes sense. Especially as he will turn 30 and instantly, his price tag will begin to reduce. What is remarkable, is why Leeds ever decided to hand the ex-Real Madrid defender a deal in December.
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