Leeds United have now accepted an offer to sell a player with National Team caps having originally rejected a bid, and it a sale is expected to be announced by the close of play on Monday.
The 49ers made it clear the club needed to sell this summer and that is what they have done, so far. Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Archie Gray have been sold for a combined total of what is believed to be £45m.
Robin Koch and Luis Sinisterra agreed permanent deals with their loan clubs at the start of the year, while Jack Harrison, Sonny Perkins and Sam Greenwood have left Elland Road on loan until the end of 2024-25.
Jamie Shackleton has joined Sheffield United on a free, while Liam Cooper, Ian Poveda and Cody Drameh are now all free agents. A mass exodus, subsided by the additions of Joe Rodon and Brenden Aaronson.
Leeds accept bid for another member of Victor Orta’s loan army
Eight left on loan using Orta’s relegation clause. Five have sorted their future, in Koch, Sinisterra, Harrison, Roca and Aaronson but for Max Wober, Rasmus Kristensen and Diego Llorente, the door remains ajar.
Wober and Kristensen are likely to be on their holidays after playing at Euro 2024. For Llorente, he has been desperate to join loan side Serie A side Roma permanently where he has spent the last 18 months.
But Roma chose against signing him and now, he is on his way to Betis. Fabrizio Romano confirmed on X that he was due to join Betis for £2.5m and now, Graham Smyth says Leeds have accepted a bid for him.
He said: “Leeds United accepted an improved offer for Diego Llorente overnight. Expecting that one to get done today. Didn’t want to return, Leeds happy to get another big wage off the books.”
Llorente’s time at Leeds was nothing short of ridiculous
Bought for £18m from Real Sociedad, the hype was big. A player with Spain caps, that had come through Real Madrid’s academy and played senior matches under Jose Mourinho, the man who took him to Roma.
But Llorente instantly flopped at Leeds. Injury completely ruined his first season at Leeds, before a second saw him do better as Leeds avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth under manager Jesse Marsch.
He signed a new deal in the December before January 2023, in which he then left on loan to Roma. He has since played 54 times for Roma, compared to his 59 at Leeds. Easily, one of our worst-ever signings.
But he has impressed at Roma, reaching the Europa League final and being described as “tremendous” by manager Daniele De Rossi. He now reunites with Roca at Betis, who are in the Europa Conference League.
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