Leeds in danger of losing Marsch midfield signing as Real Betis take first steps to transfer
Real Betis have reportedly identified Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca as a top target for the summer, and have contacted his representatives already.
The Whites have had a tough season. Following a campaign in which they scraped to survival in the Premier League by three points, they’d have hoped to not be in the same situation come the end of this season.
They brought a number of players through the door in the hopes they could maintain their top-flight status. Brendan Aaronson, Tyler Adams and Roca are a few of the names who joined the club.
While upon arrival it might have seemed those players could help Leeds stay afloat, it looks more than likely that the club will be sent back down to the Championship.
The Whites are on 31 points, two points behind Everton – the last safe side currently. A final-day fixture against Tottenham is much tougher for Leeds than a game against Bournemouth is for the Toffees.
If they are to go down, it wouldn’t be a surprise if some of the recent signings were to leave.
Indeed, while they’ve not had a great time of it as a team, some of the players will surely be deemed too good to be playing Championship football.
Indeed, it’ll only be a matter of time before some bigger sides come calling for some of the Whites’ assets.
Leeds in danger of losing Roca to Real Betis
One of those signings made by former manager Jesse Marsch before the start of the season is already the subject of transfer interest.
Football Espana reports Real Betis have identified Roca as their ‘top midfield target’ for this summer.
What’s more, they’ve already put the wheels in motion to make the signing. Indeed, the report states ‘initial contact’ between Betis and Roca’s representatives has ‘already taken place’.
Leeds might take some solace in the fact they’re likely to receive a decent fee for the midfielder. He was signed for £10million less than a year ago and still has three years left on his deal at Elland Road.
As such, his value shouldn’t have changed all that much this campaign.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that Betis will sign him, but having already opened talks would suggest they’re keen to make the move happen.
Roca may be better suited to Spain than he was to England, too. No Leeds players covered themselves in glory this campaign, so he may potentially have shown himself in a better light had the club been in a stronger position this season.
In any case, he’s had just one season in England, whereas he played senior football in Spain during four separate seasons before moving to Bayern Munich, where he joined Leeds from.
He and Leeds might both see relegation, if it does happen, as the right time to go their separate ways.
