Right-back Connor Roberts, who is joining on loan from Burnley, is the only
acquisition made by the Whites and Daniel Farke this month. They signed
Roberts late in the winter transfer window. After joining on deadline day, the
Wales international appeared to already be planning to make the move
permanent, saying:
Since football is a funny game, I’ll do all in my power to establish a positive
reputation both on and off the field. Eventually, the straight loan arrangement
may not be necessary, but for now, I’m just here to try to help both on and off
the field.
“It doesn’t really worry me if I have to play half the games, all the games, or
just a handful; the goal is to get promoted.” When the season is over, all I want
to be doing is grinning with the other boys.
It might be argued that the arrival was also necessary when Luke Ayling went
on loan for Middlesbrough and Djed Spence’s season-long loan was
terminated. Roberts will now compete with players like Archie Gray and Sam
Byram for a starting position in the Championship under Farke, as Leeds aims
to return to the Premier League.
Last month, there were three more departures: Sean McGurk signed with
Swindon Town, Ian Poveda left for Sheffield Wednesday, and Darko Gyabi
joined Plymouth Argyle.
Leeds was also able to sign new contracts with Gray and Mateo Joseph at the
start of 2024. With Wilfried Gnonto’s contract still in the works, the club’s
focus will now turn to summer preparations.Llorente’s long-term future may
not be in Rome, even with plans to relocate permanently. The source claims
Roma wants to make money by selling the defender once he joins in the
summer, since the Serie A team needs to raise €50 million from sales.
Llorente, who was described as a “very good player” by his former teammate
Poveda, has played in 27 games so far this season with just a few absences due
to injury. With comments like “Rome is magnificent, an incredible city, and I
think it is practically difficult to find a better environment to play football,” the
Spaniard is obviously having a great time in Italy.
But his time at Leeds and Roma may be coming to an end, so it will be
intriguing to watch where he ends up when the 2024–2025 season starts.
