Leeds Utd receive ‘contact’ for discounted defender deal with outcast ‘happy’ to leave for good

Diego Llorente would be ‘happy’ to make his move from Leeds United to AS Roma a permanent one and contact is underway between the two clubs, according to reports.

Llorente left Leeds on loan for Roma towards the end of the winter transfer window. It was a slightly surprising turn of events after he had signed a contract renewal at Elland Road just in December.

However, the Spain international has slowly worked his way into contention over in Italy. Jose Mourinho, who gave him his senior debut at Real Madrid back in the day, has begun to trust his recent recruit more.

There have been some conflicting claims, though, about whether or not Llorente will make his move permanent in the summer.

It seems to be something Llorente would be open to, as he has previously declared. Now, a collection of sources in Italy, as summarised by Giallorossi.net, has provided some clarity.

According to the update, it would make Llorente ‘happy’ to convert his transfer to Roma into a permanent one.

However, the sticking point – as it has been all along – could be the value of the option to buy inserted into the loan deal. Per the original agreement, Roma can sign Llorente for €18million (£15.9m).

Roma are not willing to meet that valuation, but they aren’t totally against the idea of buying Llorente. With that in mind, their general manager Tiago Pinto is in ‘contact’ with Leeds to try and secure a discount.

Diego Llorente still facing uncertain future

It isn’t yet clear how much Roma might put on the table, or whether Leeds are open to reducing their demands for the 29-year-old.

Perhaps it might hinge on whether Leeds stay in the Premier League or not. If they suffer relegation to the Championship, their negotiating stance might be weaker.

Currently, though, Leeds are one point above 18th place. They have six games to go in their season, as do all of the teams below them.

For the time being, Llorente will have to keep convincing his current club that he would be worth buying. In Roma’s upcoming fixtures, he should get that opportunity, since their main centre-back – former England international Chris Smalling – is currently injured for a few weeks.

Llorente has made seven appearances for Roma so far. They have won six of them, keeping clean sheets in five, which has certainly helped amplify his impact in the Italian capital.

Previously, he played for Leeds 59 times after joining them from Real Sociedad in September 2020. He was less convincing at Elland Road, but appears to have found a new lease of life away from there.

If Roma do not succeed in keeping Llorente, Leeds might have other destinations they could sell him to if they think he has reached the end of his journey with the club.

For instance, Tuttomercatoweb recently suggested a return to La Liga could be on the cards for Llorente after he became a target for Villarreal.

There will be plenty for Leeds and Llorente to weigh up, but all eyes will be on whether he can stay at Roma first and foremost.

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