Leeds United transfer news as Roma happy with Diego Llorente, deal too expensive

The asking price of €18million (£15.5million) for Leeds United defender Diego Llorente has been deemed too expensive by Roma, according to Fabrizio Romano on his Twitter account.

Jose Mourinho’s side, Europa League finalists after losing on penalties to Sevilla, are said to be happy with the performances of the Spanish defender but the price tag now puts a permanent move in doubt.

Llorente featured as a late substitute in that defeat in Budapest, after spending the second half of the season on loan in the Italian capital.

Whilst the brakes have been applied, at least temporarily, to any deal for Llorente, The Giallorossi are said to have secured another player for an extended period, as featured by Romano.

“AS Roma are happy with Diego Llorente but €18m buy clause from Leeds is now considered too expensive,” he said.

“Roma have also triggered the option to extend Belotti’s contract due to expire at the end of the month – it will now be valid until June 2025.”

Negotiation

That is a hefty fee that the Whites are said to be holding out for, regarding the central defender who made eight Premier League appearances in the early part of the 2022/23 campaign.

With an extended stay at Elland Road in doubt due to the relegation to the Championship, it would appear that the 29-year-old is destined to move on, but only if Leeds drops the asking price.

Further negotiation is likely on the price tag for Llorente who will also be on the radar of clubs in La Liga but Roma will stay in the race.

Following relegation from the Premier League, Leeds’ squad will be impacted significantly. Players will need to be moved on, as well as reductions in wages in many cases.

It is just not feasible to hold out for top prices and buying clubs will be cognisant of that. It is unlikely that this is the last we will hear of transfer activity regarding Llorente in the weeks to come.