Italian outlet TMW have posted a video on Twitter of Leeds United defender Diego Llorente arriving in Rome ahead of completing a loan-to-buy deal with Jose Mourinho’s side – just weeks after he penned a new deal at Elland Road.
Llorente, 29, has struggled to make a real impact at Leeds since joining the club from Real Sociedad for £18m in the summer of 2020. His first season was blighted by injury. This term, his third season, he has struggled to get in the side.
Germany ace Robin Koch has been first choice on the right of the the two centre-backs. Max Wober and Liam Cooper are options on the left. Pascal Struijk is playing at left-back and can play in the middle – similarly, Luke Ayling can cover.
Gianluca Di Marzio surprisingly reported on Monday morning that Llorente is set to join Roma on a loan-to-buy deal. Not an obligation, but an option. Now, TMW have posted a 30-second clip of Llorente arriving in Roma – thumbs up.
Video: Leeds defender Llorente arrives in Roma ahead of loan-to-buy deal
What a move for Llorente. To go from being on the bench at Leeds to being an option in a three-man defence under Mourinho. He will have more chances to play for Roma, and Mourinho’s men are in the Europa League knockouts.
Clearly, Leeds would not be letting Llorente go if they did not feel there was a chance they could get their money back. So, while it is only an option, it seems as though Llorente is waving goodbye to Leeds. That one remains up in the air.
It will be interesting to see if Llorente gets a good run out at Roma. Mourinho has the likes of Chris Smalling to choose from. But for at least the second half of the season, it looks as if Llorente will be pulling on a Roma shirt.
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