Junior Firpo and Joel Robles have ‘encouraged’ Leeds player to join Europa League side

A report from Spanish site Estadio Deportivo claims that Marc Roca is interested in joining Real Betis from Leeds United this summer – and both Joel Robles and Junior Firpo are said to have ‘encouraged’ Roca to join their old side.

Roca, 26, is one of a number of players likely to leave Elland Road this summer. Joining the club last summer from Bayern Munich, he was a regular for Leeds for much of the season before struggling for form in the latter stages.

But with relegation, the likes of Roca will leave. A previous report from Estadio Deportivo said that Betis also want to sign Firpo – a player that has played for Betis beforehand. Robles joined Leeds from Betis on a free last summer.

The latest reports claim that Roca will be the subject of talks between Leeds and Betis on Monday. Now, it is said that Robles and Firpo – who have represented Betis – are said to have encouraged Roca to secure a move to Betis.

Robles and Firpo have encouraged Roca to join Betis from Leeds United
Roca needs to go and a move to Betis would be a superb one. A club that have qualified for the Europa League. A club that might not see Roca start to begin with, but he certainly has the talent to break into the side regularly.

It did not work at Leeds for two reasons. The first being that Roca simply lacks the intensity and the fitness to last 90 minutes at the tempo of English football. Hence, Jesse Marsch always subbing him. Secondly, Leeds’ form.

If we had been a side boasting more possession, getting on the ball and scoring more goals – it would have suited Roca. He is better in a better side. Worse, in a side at the bottom. A move to Betis would suit Roca this summer.