When Leeds United agreed to let Diego Llorente stay at AS Roma for the season after a successful six-month initial loan, they also gave their consent for an option to buy to be included.
That is reportedly set at around €5m and can become mandatory in case certain goals are achieved, which is why there’s a very good chance he will never return to Elland Road.
There had been some reports that AS Roma could trigger it quickly to then make a profit on him going forward, and while that has yet to happen, it doesn’t mean it won’t, as hinted at by Football News 24 in Italy.
The website look at the situation after the recent 4-2 loss to Inter Milan in Serie A, and explain there is only one player in the defence certain of staying.
That’s not Llorente, but Gianluca Mancini, as the likes of Rui Patricio and Leonardo Spinazzola will leave on a free in the summer, while Dean Huijsen will return to Juventus.
Angeliño could stay for €5m if his option to buy is triggered, but he is ‘in the balance’, while Rick Karsdorp ‘could be sold.
Meanwhile, it’s recalled Rasmus Kristensen and the aforementioned Llorente are on loan from Leeds, but the Spaniard has a ‘high chance of staying’.
This leaves Zeki Celik, who is ‘out’, since he hasn’t been used by Daniele De Rossi to date, and the future of Chris Smalling remains unknown, as the Englishman has been out since September with an injury, but is under contract until 2025.
Therefore, a lot of movement is expected to take place in the next few months over in Rome, with Leeds potentially involved at some point or another.
