Italian side CalcioMercato claim Leeds United and Roma have reached “total agreement” on a loan move for Diego Llorente to return to the Italian club for the 2023-24 season – but the deal will not include a permanent option.
Llorente, 29, spent the second half of last season on loan at Roma. He managed 12 outings, despite initially being back-up at Roma following his move – and even appeared in the Europa League final defeat to Spanish side Sevilla.
Of course, the club that have just appointed Victor Orta as sporting director – replacing Villa arrival Monchi. Since then, rumours have been flying regarding Llorente and whether he would stay put at Roma. Now, he’s likely to do so.
Now, CM report that Llorente will remain on loan at Roma from Leeds for the 2023-24 season. CM also say Leeds and Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto are in ‘total agreement’ – in a move that doesn’t appear to include an option.
Leeds and Roma reach total agreement on loan for Diego Llorente
If Leeds are not including a permanent option for Llorente, then they are benefitting in three other ways – from this type of move. The first being, Roma will be paying an upfront loan fee. To get Llorente for a year, it would be decent.
It might be a couple of million quid, who knows. You would also expect Leeds will not have agreed to Roma signing Llorente, unless they are paying 80% or more of his wages. The third is that he puts himself in the shop window.
That, or does enough to show Roma that he is worth the asking price Leeds are supposedly asking for. It might even be that Leeds want to keep him until next summer, and then sell for a Premier League price tag – not, second tier.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
