Leeds United’s ambitions to secure a permanent deal worth over £10 million for midfielder Marc Roca have encountered difficulties following a decline in his performance.
Among the players who were loaned out over the summer, Marc Roca was expected to shine, especially returning to La Liga, where he previously excelled.
He was signed by Real Betis and initially thrived under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini, but his journey took a downturn in 2024.
According to a recent Mucho Deporte report, the Leeds midfielder is experiencing a slump in form, attributed to a recent battle with pneumonia.
Despite once showcasing exceptional skills in both midfield and defensive positions for Betis, Roca’s recent performances have been lacking, casting doubt on his permanent move.
Labelled as a costly transfer, his current level of play makes it challenging for the Spanish club to commit to the financial outlay required for his acquisition.
As with other loaned players from that summer, the clauses in Roca’s contract imply a return to Elland Road is unlikely to be embraced by the fans or Daniel Farke.
Thus, leveraging his earlier season success to maximize his sale price seemed logical for the 27-year-old. Initially purchased for £10 million from Bayern Munich, Leeds had hoped to recoup, if not exceed, this investment in 2024.
However, Roca’s inability to sustain his performance and health, through circumstances seemingly beyond his control, dims this prospect.
From Leeds’ standpoint, the hope remains that Roca can rediscover the form that previously marked him as a sought-after talent towards the latter part of 2023.
