Leeds United‘s Diego Llorente is set to be transferred for £4.3 million this summer as per conditions outlined in his loan agreement with AS Roma. The Spanish defender, who has been away from Elland Road for 18 months, is unlikely to return, potentially seeking a new club following his permanent move to the Italian side.
Initially joining Roma on loan last winter, Llorente has spent the past 13 months in Italy’s capital. Leeds extended his loan through the summer, allowing him to remain with Roma for the 2023/24 season. An obligation to buy clause was included, triggering Leeds’ compensation if Llorente participated in 50% of Roma’s matches—a condition already fulfilled with his 29 appearances for I Giallorossi. This clause will fetch €5 million (£4.3 million) for Leeds but will also reflect as a £10 million loss in their 2023/24 accounts, considering Llorente’s original purchase from Real Sociedad for around £15 million.
The funds Leeds receives are likely to be reinvested in the team, particularly if they secure promotion to the Premier League. However, if they remain in the Championship, the sale proceeds may go toward player wages in the following season.
Reports from Metropolitan Magazine in Italy suggest that Roma intends to sell Llorente this summer, aiming to make a €5 million profit on their investment. With interest from Paris Saint-Germain in January, Roma estimates Llorente’s market value at around €10 million and hopes to fetch a similar fee in the upcoming months.
Despite Llorente’s current market value exceeding the agreed figure in Roma’s purchase option with Leeds, the negotiations last summer favored Roma due to various factors, including Llorente’s preference to stay in Italy, Roma’s financial constraints, their reluctance to commit to a higher fee, and Leeds’ need to reduce their wage bill after relegation.
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