Leeds United’s £20m duo could leave this week with exits imminent

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Rasmus Kristensen and Marc Roca are reportedly closing in on moves away from Leeds United following the club’s relegation from the Premier League. 

While a deal that would have seen Rodrigo Moreno reunite with Victor Orta at Sevilla broke down last week, Leeds United are not expected to run into similar problems as they prepare to lose both Rasmus Kristensen and Marc Roca from the wage bill. 

Kristensen, underwhelming since his move from Red Bull Salzburg, is reportedly set to join Serie A giants Roma. He will move to the Italian capital on loan with a purchase clause of £8.5 million in his contract. Tuttomercatoweb add that Giallorossi coach Jose Mourinho hopes to secure the Denmark international’s signature before the end of the week. 

Kristensen could be joined at Roma by Diego Llorente. 

Leeds United could sell two players this week

Marc Roca, another player who failed to live up to expectations at Elland Road, will leave on similar terms. Estadio Deportivo say that Leeds agreed a loan-to-buy deal with Real Betis for the ex-Bayern Munich benchwarmer a fortnight ago.  

And while there has been relatively little movement since then, negotiations kicked up a notch on Monday. Roca, like Kristensen, could say his goodbyes at Thorpe Arch over the coming days.

The two players set Leeds back a combined £20 million during the summer of 2022, and struggled to put their stamp on the Premier League as the Yorkshire giants were relegated on the final day. Roca’s place in the Leeds midfield could be taken by West Brom’s Jayson Molumby (The Sun). An energetic, all-action enforcer; Molumby would arrive on the back of an impressive Championship campaign under former Leeds coach Carlos Corberan at the Hawthorns. 

Kristensen’s departure, meanwhile, may be offset by the return of Cody Drameh from a loan spell at Luton Town. Leeds, who are expected to hire ex-Norwich City coach Daniel Farke imminently, also has the highly-experienced Luke Ayling at his disposal.