Leeds United ‘reject’ transfer offer from La Liga for experienced defender

Leeds United have rejected a bid from Real Betis for defender Diego Llorente, according to BBC Radio Leeds. Llorente has spent the last 18 months on loan at Roma, playing 54 times for the Serie A side.

But La Liga side Real Betis, who have already signed Marc Roca from Albi this summer, are keen to add Llorente to their ranks. Reports in Spain suggest the club hope to have completed a deal for Llorente in time for the start of pre-season on July 8.

A report in Mucho Deporte says Betis are trying to reduce the transfer fee and payment method with United to sign the centre-back. It has been claimed that the fee could be around €4.5 million, but Llorente is demanding a long-term contract.

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The Spain international moved to Elland Road from Real Sociedad in an £18m deal in 2020. He played 59 times for the club in the Premier League but was part of last summer’s mass exodus from Elland Road, following their relegation to England’s second tier. football.

The 30-year-old endured a mixed spell in Italy as Roma reached the Europa League semi-finals, although he remained on the bench for both legs. Roma, who finished sixth in Serie A, decided not to trigger the option to buy Llorente, opening the door to a move back to his homeland.

As exclusively revealed by Leeds Live yesterday, the Whites have rejected a £30million bid from Brighton and Hove Albion for striker Georginio Rutter. The Frenchman, one of their standout performers last term, has four years left on his contract.