Roma are planning to send Premier League loanee Diego Llorente back to Leeds United because the Spanish centre-back has not ‘convinced’ Jose Mourinho at the Serie A giants, Il Messaggero report.
Perhaps realising that the arrival of Max Wober from Red Bull Salzburg would further restrict his game-time at Elland Road, Llorente jumped at the opportunity when Roma came calling late in the January transfer window.
After playing just 46 minutes of football out of a possible 990, however, the former Real Sociedad stopper may be wondering why he bothered.
According to Il Messaggero, via Roma Live, Llorente has failed to win over Mourinho. And it has already been decided that the Giallorossi will not trigger the £18 million option-to-buy clause in the 29-year-old’s contract.
Diego Llorente struggling on loan at Roma from Leeds United
As such, Llorente will have little choice but to return to his parent club in the summer. His hopes of winning back a starting spot in West Yorkshire, however, could be boosted by the fact that Leeds are likely to have a new head coach come July.
Leeds remain admirers of Feyenoord boss Arne Slot and Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola. And it is not out of the question that Javi Gracia sticks around for longer. Presuming he can guide Leeds out of the Premier League’s relegation zone, that is.
Gracia appointed on an interim basis shortly after Llorente’s departure.
“My agent told me about Roma’s interest,” Llorente told the club’s in-house media team upon his arrival in the Italian capital at the end of the January transfer window.
“Initially, I didn’t think about moving.
“The first thing is that it’s beautiful, a spectacular city. The best place to continue playing football. Both on a sporting level and on a personal level, I think it’s an important step forward for my career.”
Llorente has been unavailable for Roma’s last few matches due to an adductor problem. Even before then, however, he had already found himself consigned to life on the substitute’s bench.
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