Leeds United transfer news: Diego Llorente exit ‘definitively closed’ amid Rasmus Kristensen clause update after London talks

Diego Llorente’s loan departure back to Roma is “definitively closed” but clause discussions on Rasmus Kristensen’s are to be finalised amid talks between Leeds United and Tiago Pinto in London, Corriere dello Sport reports.

The Europa League runners-up are looking to take advantage of the fact that various Whites players have loan-exit clauses in their contracts following relegation, and a cheaper permanent obligation is thought to now be Llorente’s new deal after a hefty redemption clause wasn’t redeemed last season.

While the move for Kristensen was expected to be a loan with most likely an option to buy him at the end, it now appears that the negotiations in the UK on the clause could see it yet become an obligation.

Corriere dello Sport report that Kristensen’s move is “about to formalised” and that a purchase may become obligatory for roughly €9million [£7.7million] based on achievements such as Roma qualifying for the Champions League next term.

Thinning out

For two defenders who have flattered to deceive at Elland Road these talks are probably about to land on the right outcome for all.

That Roma are open to adding achievable permanent clauses in order to buy them in a year’s time is a bonus, when it looks like plenty of players are able to depart on loan this summer and possibly deprive the club of fees altogether.

A windfall in that department was seen as a small silver lining to relegation, but a host of temporary exits won’t do much to boost the budget at Elland Road, especially if contracts then run out next year anyway.

Leeds United need to improve their defence significantly after a campaign that saw them concede the most goals in the Premier League.

Llorente was only responsible for that early on, and Kristensen was more of an issue in that regard in his preferred full-back role than he was late in the season as a stand-in centre-back.

So an overhaul is required so these two departures make some sense and seem like they will belatedly provide a moderate return at least.