Spanish newspaper AS claim Real Betis are working hard to complete a deal to sign Leeds United man Marc Roca on loan this summer – as Manuel Pellegrini looks to bring in midfield depth ahead of a 23-24 Europa League campaign.
Roca, 26, only joined Leeds last summer from Bayern Munich for a fee believed to be in the region of £10m. It comes after joining Bayern following a superb stint at boyhood side Espanyol. He played 24 times for Bayern in two years.
Hit and miss, is the best way to describe Roca at Leeds. Clearly, he has huge talent. But his ability to last 90 minutes and keep up with the intensity of the Premier League is doubtful. Certainly, he needs Tyler Adams alongside him.
But following relegation, Roca is likely to be one of a number of players that leaves Elland Road this summer. AS say Betis, who have qualified for the Europa League after finishing in sixth place, are looking to sign Roca on a loan deal.
The report states that despite finishing in the European places, they are not flush with cash and if they can land Roca on loan – then they will do so. It is unclear if a loan for the £50k-a-week lefty includes a permanent clause.
Betis working hard to sign Leeds man Marc Roca on loan this summer
Simply put, Roca needs to leave. Clearly, he has the ability to get the ball down and play but in English football, the intensity and tempo is huge. Roca is very guilty of producing a good 30 minutes, and going missing for the next 30.
If he could improve his fitness and concentration levels to the point where he is churning those 30-minute bursts into 60 or more, then he would be worth keeping. But, ultimately, the slower tempo of Spanish football suits him.
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