Leeds United are closing in on the permanent sale of a midfielder that used Victor Orta’s relegation loan clause last summer, and the club are happy with it despite reports of a bargain fee.
Eight players left using Orta’s loan clause last summer after the club were relegated from the Premier League to The Championship. Failure to gain promotion has plunged some futures into major doubts.
Robin Koch and Luis Sinisterra have joined Frankfurt and Bournemouth, while Jack Harrison agreed to rejoin Everton on a loan on Monday. Brenden Aaronson has done the opposite, returning to Elland Road.
That leaves Marc Roca, Rasmus Kristensen, Diego Llorente and Max Wober. Both Wober and Kristensen are currently at Euro 2024 and a decision on their future is unlikely to be made until after the tournament.
But one player is closing in on a permanent exit with Roca expected to agree a move to Real Betis.
Leeds ‘content’ with Marc Roca sale despite reported bargain fee
Roca had endured three dismal years in football. Having starred at Espanyol, he joined Bayern Munich in 2020 but managed just 24 appearances over the next two years with the German giants, joining Leeds.
But he struggled at Leeds and it ended in relegation, with Roca jumping ship immediately to La Liga side Betis. Back in his home country, he rediscovered his best form and Betis are keen to reward him for that.
Despite Roca able to replicate last season’s loan clause as Harrison has done with Everton, Betis have decided to sign him permanently. Leeds bought him for £10m, but were only requesting a £6.75m fee.
A loss on Roca within just two years of £3.25m. However, a permanent deal is believed to be close for a bargain £4.25m but even then, Graham Smyth says Leeds are ‘content’ with the sale despite the loss.
What Graham Smyth has said about Leeds stance on Roca deal
Indeed, the Yorkshire Evening Post reporter wrote in his piece on Monday that Leeds are confident that while selling Roca at a loss, it will not impact them too heavily in terms of Profit & Sustainability rules.
He says Leeds are simply happy to get his ‘large wages’ off the wage list at Elland Road ahead of the new season.: “Marc Roca is soon to seal a permanent move to Betis, with whom he spent last season in LaLiga.
“Leeds are content the deal which falls short of the fee they shelled out in 2022, won’t leave them with a loss for Profitability and Sustainability regulation purposes and removes a large wage from the books.”