Villarreal have now held talks with Leeds United for the transfer of Diego Llorente. AS Roma are unlikely to trigger their option to buy the defender after his initial loan deal.
That is according to TuttoMercatoWEB, which reports that Roma no longer believe Llorente matches their intended ambitions. So, the Serie A side will snub an €18m (£16m) option to buy the Spaniard. Leeds had agreed to include the clause to grant his loan move in January.
Roma appreciate that Llorente is a reliable player but do not feel the costs to retain the 29-year-old make sense. The centre-half has also only started in five of his seven appearances in Jose Mourinho’s plans. He has even spent eight fixtures in all competitions on the bench.
Villarreal have opened talks with Leeds over Llorente’s transfer
But while Llorente is now unlikely to secure a permanent transfer to Roma, he may also not return to Leeds. Villarreal have opened talks with the Premier League outfit over taking the Madrid native back to Spain. The two teams have held direct talks to discuss his availability.
Villarreal are eager to sign a new centre-back and believe Llorente could end their search if Leeds let him leave. But Calciomercato also reported earlier this month that the 10-cap ace wants to join Mourinho’s fold permanently. Llorente is in love with Roma and wants to stay.
Mourinho could make the Whites rue handing out a new contract
Llorente – who Marc Roca called ‘magic’ last July – has another three years on his contract at Leeds. The Whites awarded the defender a new deal last December only to then grant a move to Roma. He had 18 months left on his terms signed after joining from Real Sociedad.
The Elland Road side spent £18m to sign Llorente and gave him an initial four-year contract in September 2020. Now, Leeds may hope Villarreal advance their interest to recoup a high fee if Roma do decide against triggering their option to seal Llorente’s permanent transfer.
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