Leeds United’s Marc Roca has been on loan at Real Betis since last summer and has been a regular for Manuel Pellegrini this season.
Diario de Sevilla states the midfielder has the third most minutes at the La Liga side but his game time has been limited in recent weeks.
The Leeds owned player was left out of the squad on four occasions in the last eight league games.
This indicates the 27-year-old’s importance at Real Betis has been ‘gradually decreasing’, mainly due to the physical problems with his knee and ankle. In addition to this, he also had pneumonia earlier this year.
The newspaper points out Roca’s drop in form coincided with Guido Rodríguez’s absence due to an injury, while Johnny Cardoso’s arrival in January also had an impact.
It’s claimed former Real Betis sporting director Ramón Planes had negotiated a purchase option of €12m with Leeds.
Taking Roca’s recent situation into account, the report states ‘it’s not so much clear’ the Spanish club will buy him, also because of their economic conditions. They have an option to retain him for one more season if the Championship side fail to return to the top flight.
Daniel Farke’s side are currently leading the table, a point ahead of third placed Luton Town.Roca extending his loan stay would be advantageous for Real Betis but their immediate focus is to help him regain his best form before this season ends.
In all honestly, given what has been said previously this season, Betis’ new stance feels like a negotiating tactic to try and force Leeds United down from that €12m figure.
