Leeds United: Eight-figure outlay looks foolish as €5m exit looms: View | OneFootball

Diego Llorente looks set to leave Leeds United this summer, with the Whites left wondering where it all went wrong for their big-money signing.

The Whites forked out a reported £18 million to bring the Spanish defender to the club in 2020, as they prepared for life back in the Premier League after earning promotion.

But after only 51 league appearances for the Yorkshire side it looks as if the 30-year-old could be on the move this summer, with a move to current loan side AS Roma likely to be made permanent.

The reported fee for the defender’s move to the Italian side is said to be €5 million, which must leave Leeds ruing their initial outlay for a player that barely made an impact during his time at Elland Road.

Diego Llorente Leeds United career, AS Roma transfer deal

Italian outlet Il Messaggero has claimed that the centre-back Llorente has played enough games for Roma to trigger a clause that will make his loan move to the Serie A side permanent.

Having initially made the move in the January of 2023, the defender’s loan deal to the Italian capital was extended for the entirety of the 23/24 campaign, where he has gone on to be a mainstay in the Giallorossi defence.

With 40 appearances to his name this season, Llorente has been at the forefront of his side’s battle for the European spots in Italy, as well as their run to the Europa League semi-finals.

With his release clause said to be a meagre €5 million, Leeds will be kicking themselves for failing to make the most of the defender’s time at the club, given his evident quality in guarding his goal.

The Spaniard’s time at Elland Road was marred by injuries from the start; with United fans unable to see their new signing in action until three months after he signed, with his debut for the club being delayed because of a muscle injury picked up on International duty.

The defender then went on to make just 15 appearances over the course of his first season with the club, with the standout moment being a late equaliser against Liverpool to earn his side a point in the April.

His second year in England was more fruitful, as he became something of a regular in the starting lineup; featuring 31 times over the course of the season as Leeds narrowly avoided relegation from the top flight.

But the following year saw the Spaniard become more and more of a fringe player at Elland Road, with is game time limited to a handful of league matches and cup games, with his last appearance before his loan move coming away to Accrington Stanley.

Almost immediately after landing in Italy, Llorente seemed like a changed man. He slotted into Jose Mourinho’s system at Stadio Olimpico and became a regular fixture, even going on to feature in the Europa League final against Sevilla, which they lost on penalties.

Diego Llorente Leeds United contract information

What makes the Italian switch all the more confusing is the fact that the defender signed a new deal with the club just weeks before the move; with an extension until the summer of 2026 secured in December of 2022.

The fact that Llorente has barely played a game for the club since speaks volumes, and despite having two years left on his current deal, it looks as if a move away from England is best for all parties, although Leeds will be scratching their heads at the turn of events.

Having reportedly been on a weekly salary of £45,000 during his time at Elland Road, the Whites will be pleased to get him off the wage bill, but after showing signs of promise during his early days at the club they must be questioning where it all went wrong.

With the defender said to be one of the top ten most expensive transfers for the club in their history, you have to say that he has been a disappointment during his time at Elland Road.

Despite seeing glimpses of his potential it was a transfer that just didn’t click, leaving the Yorkshire side staring at an eight-figure loss on their big investment this summer.