Leeds United are working hard behind the scenes to offload Victor Orta’s loan group with the future of five players now pretty much confirmed, but Diego Llorente is in limbo.
Eight players left Leeds on loan following relegation using the cause inserted into contracts by Orta, who has of course jumped ship himself to Sevilla. Robin Koch and Luis Sinisterra have left Leeds permanently.
Brenden Aaronson has surprisingly returned, but Jack Harrison has gone back to Everton for a second loan spell. Marc Roca is set to complete a permanent £4.25m move to Real Betis at some point this week.
That leaves three of the eight with futures to sort. Max Wober and Rasmus Kristensen have qualified for the last 16 with Austria and Denmark and while they are at Euro 2024, it is unlikely their future is sorted.
Diego Llorente losing hope of striking permanent Roma move
But for Spain star Llorente, his future is in doubt. The defender played more than 40 times on loan at Roma last season, with Daniele De Rossi describing the former Sociedad defender as “tremendous”.
The £18m signing has not played for Leeds since leaving on loan in January 2023. There have been a number of differing reports, with one even suggesting all three parties have a ‘gentleman’s agreement’.
Another report says Llorente is losing hope of striking a deal and could now even return to day one of pre-season training at Elland Road. Now, Italian outlet Siamo La Roma deliver an update on Llorente.
Italian media say Leeds have reduced asking price for Llorente
Reports say that Roma have a clause in the loan deal for Llorente worth £4.3m. But Roma have delayed a deal as they decide whether to spend that fee to sign the player, as talks for Mats Hummels continue.
But Leeds clearly want a quick sale and to sort out Llorente’s future. The new report says that Leeds are now requesting a smaller fee between £2.5m and £3m with a deal likely to be until the summer of 2028.
It is unclear if Roma are willing to sign Llorente even at that bargain fee, but if the Italians decide against a move for Llorente then Roca’s Betis may move with the La Liga club keen to take him back to Spain.