Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca has told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo that he would consider a move to Barcelona in the future if the opportunity ever arose – despite coming through the ranks at La Liga rivals Espanyol.
Roca, 26, joined Leeds from Bayern Munich for a fee of £10million in the summer after his move to the German side did not work out. It comes after playing 121 senior games for Espanyol, after breaking in from the youth academy.
At Leeds, Roca has been first choice – up until now. That is because the club have decided to sign Weston McKennie from Juventus on a loan-to-buy deal. His long-standing relationship with Tyler Adams may mean Roca drops out.
Indeed, Roca has featured in all 19 League games, starting 18 times – but completing 90 minutes just four times for the Whites. Asked if he would consider a move to Barcelona in the future, Roca says he would not shut the door.
“In the future you never know. You never know what is going to happen in life. It’s a difficult question to answer, but I’m from Espanyol, I feel like I’m from Espanyol, I’m super grateful to the club,” Roca told Mundo Deportivo.
“I’m telling you, what I want is, in the future, to be able to retire at Espanyol, which is the club that gave me my career. It has given everything, the club that has given me the opportunity to play. Is the club that I love”.
Leeds midfielder Roca would consider a move to Barcelona in the future
Does Roca have a long-term future at Leeds? The Yorkshire club would like to think so, but it is clear that he may be pushed out of the starting XI throughout the second half of the season. McKennie is considered a coup at Leeds.
But if a club comes in for him and pays more than our outlay on Roca, you would suggest that Leeds would probably be open to his exit. Especially, if it is a club like Barcelona – a move that Leeds would hardly stop Roca from making.
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