One Leeds United player is reportedly ‘poised’ to leave Elland Road again having spent last season out on loan, but Mats Hummels could now throw that move into doubt.
Leeds are expected to sell a number of players this summer with The 49ers needing to make a number of sales in order to comply with Financial Fairplay, amid reports that the club owe £190m in player transfers.
The first port of call will be to offload those that used Victor Orta’s loan relegation clause. Luis Sinisterra has been sold, Robin Koch is gone, Brenden Aaronson is back at Leeds but five players are still uncertain.
Jack Harrison and Marc Roca are still said to have an active loan clause and that is likely to see them return to Everton and Betis. But Max Wober, Rasmus Kristensen and Diego Llorente don’t have clauses.
Llorente has enjoyed a successful 18 months on loan at Roma, playing more than 40 times last season despite a change in manager with the Italian gaffer Daniele De Rossi replacing icon Jose Mourinho.
Diego Llorente ‘poised’ to go but Hummels could have a say
Plenty of reports have shed light on Llorente’s situation at Roma. Whether he rejoins permanently with Roma required to pay £4.3m, if he joins again on loan for a third time, or he doesn’t go back to Roma.
There is belief that a gentleman’s agreement is there between Llorente, Roma and Leeds. His agent is said to have met with Roma this month to thrash out a deal with a move to Roma now expected this summer.
Indeed, the latest offering from Gazzetta Dello Sport state that Llorente is ‘poised’ to rejoin Roma in the coming weeks and months. But, the report also states that Hummels is in talks over a move to Roma.
Hummels move may hamper Llorente joining Roma this summer
Hummels was a shock departure from Borussia Dortmund this summer having just helped them reach the Champions League final. Robin Koch was surprisingly picked over him in Germany’s Euro 2024 squad.
Gazzetta say Hummels is in talks with Roma after leaving Dortmund and while there is a sticking point over length of contract, Hummels is willing to take a pay cut in order to remain in European football.
Signing Hummels then may put a deal for Llorente on the back burner. But what may play into Llorente’s hands, is Chris Smalling’s future having spent most of the season out injured with an ongoing knee issue.