Sources: Major update on Roma signing Diego Llorente permanently from Leeds United
Roma are not expected to trigger the option to sign Diego Llorente permanently from Leeds United this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Serie A club agreed a loan-to-buy deal for the Spanish centre-back, 29, in January.
But he has struggled for game time and has played just 34 minutes since his arrival, partly due to injury problems.
It is believed that Roma are not planning on activating the £18million option to convert Llorente’s loan into a permanent move.
It means that the defender will be heading back to Elland Road with his future up in the air going into the summer.
Llorente has three years remaining on his United contract after signing from Real Sociedad in 2020.
The Spain international put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half year contract extension with the Yorkshire club in December 2022 before heading out on his loan deal.
Since his arrival at Elland Road, the defender has made 59 appearances for Leeds and has scored four goals in those outings.
He struggled to force his way into the side under former boss Jesse Marsch and had fallen behind Liam Cooper, Robin Koch and recent arrival Max Wober in the defensive pecking order.
Leeds have been preparing a potential replacement for Llorente in highly-rated youngster Diogo Monteiro.
Th 18-year-old joined the Yorkshire club from Swiss side Servette and has gone straight into the club’s under-21 side as a potential starter for the future.
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