Roma and Leeds United Defender Lands on PSG Radar

Roma have been busy searching for new defenders in January, but they risk losing one in January, as PSG have shown some interest in Diego Llorente. The Spaniard returned to the Italian capital on loan from Leeds United last summer.

According to Foot Mercato, the Ligue 1 powerhouse is looking for reinforcements following Milan Skriniar’s ankle surgery. They are evaluating a few options. They like Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, but he’s hard to sign. Luis Enrique is familiar with the Giallorossi center-back and would approve of his acquisition.

Roma will have to wait for the outcome of talks between Leeds United and PSG to learn whether they’ll be able to lean on Llorente the rest of the way. They spent €500k for his season-long loan. He has been a regular starter and has appeared in 23 matches so far.

The Giallorossi are in talks with the French champions too. They’d like to send Renato Sanches back early. The latest additions to their defensive shortlist are Caglar Soyuncu, who might depart on loan late, and Lille’s Alexandro Ribeiro. However, he’d be more expensive.

Our Take on Roma, PSG, and Llorente

It’d be a big problem if the French side decided to track him with conviction, as they’d have to find two pieces and integrate three midseason. They don’t have a ton of leverage. Moreover, there’s a chance the counterparty uses this situation as part of the negotiation concerning Sanches, which wouldn’t be great.