Leeds United are continuing in their work to get players out of the door before making any incoming signings with a defender now set to leave today for just £2.5m.
Already, Marc Roca has moved to Spanish side Real Betis on a permanent basis after a loan spell at the La Liga club for £4m. Archie Gray has joined Tottenham for £40m, with Joe Rodon returning for a £10m fee.
Sonny Perkins, Sam Greenwood and Jack Harrison have left on loan to Leyton Orient, Preston and Everton but more are expected. Reports say Kristoffer Klaesson is to join Polish side Rakow on a permanent basis.
That deal is expected to go through today, while a move for Toulouse for Charlie Cresswell is back on. The Thorp Arch academy product should finally get a deal done for £3.8m, with Cresswell set to leave Leeds.
Now, Diego Llorente is about to join that list of names, as per an update from Fabrizio Romano:
Romano delivers update on Leeds defender Diego Llorente
Llorente, 30, has spent the last 18 months on loan at Roma. The Spain international has played 54 times for the Serie A side, spending almost half of his four-year spell on the books at Leeds with the Italians.
Despite playing more than 40 times during 2023-24 for Roma and even having a gentleman’s agreement with both Leeds and Roma, the Serie A giants chose not to secure a permanent deal for the Leeds man.
Romano has now delivered an update on X, saying Llorente is joining Betis for £2.5m even though many clubs were in the mix to land the former Real Madrid man on a permanent basis from Leeds this summer.
He said: “Diego Llorente to Betis, here we go! Four year deal agreed. Fee around €3m to Leeds, Llorente’s set to return to Spain after loan spell at AS Roma. Many clubs wanted but Betis project convinced Diego.”
Llorente sends message to supporters, but not Leeds fans
Despite being a Leeds player, Llorente has posted a message to fans on Instagram. But not Leeds fans, instead the defender has paid tribute to the Roma fans with which he has spent the last 18 months.
Now he joins Betis, where he will find himself alongside the likes of Isco, William Carvalho and plenty more high-profile players as well as Roca. Manuel Pellegrini’s side are in the Europa Conference League.
His post is translated as: “I can only say THANK YOU ROME! An unforgettable year and a half in which I could be happy, understanding what Roma feeling means! Wearing the Rome shirt is a big responsibility.
“But at the same time a unique feeling! I end satisfied for having defended and fought for Roma, leaving everything on the field with pride. I will always remember the great nights at the Olympic Stadium.
“The derby atmosphere and more than 70,000 people singing the anthem of Rome. Thank you to all the fans for your unconditional support and thank you to all the people who allowed me to live this dream which I will never forget!”
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