Real Betis are keen on retaining Marc Roca beyond this season after signing him on loan from Leeds United last summer. The midfielder is also open to extending his stay at the La Liga side.
On May 2nd, ABC Sevilla stated the 27-year-old has agreed a deal with Real Betis and only Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League can change things for him. They face Norwich City in the Championship play-offs and the first leg ended in a goalless draw.
Estadio Deportivo again highlights that Real Betis can extend Roca’s loan deal for another season if Leeds fail to get back to the top flight. Otherwise, they must negotiate a low-cost deal with the Whites.
There is another factor that could jeopardise Roca’s wish to continue at the Andalusian club. He hasn’t made an appearance for over two months and despite recovering from an injury in April, Roca has been on the bench for the last four league games.
Manuel Pellegrini has ‘completely ostracised’ the Leeds owned player, who has dropped down the pecking order, after being a starter for most of this season. Roca is now the fourth choice and the situation is unlikely to change before the end of the season.
Estadio state Pellegrini’s stance clashes with Real Betis’ intention to retain Roca, either on a loan deal or through a low-cost operation. There’s already an agreement in place with him, but it was reached ‘before falling into oblivion’.
It’s claimed ‘the contradiction is growing’ at Real Betis and they have realised their desire to keep Roca doesn’t match with the ‘sporting punishment’ imposed by Pellegrini on him. His summer move could collapse, despite reaching an agreement with the Spanish club.
