Leeds United are close to sealing their third signing of the summer transfer window this week…
What’s the word?
That’s according to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, who claims that a medical will take place on Friday after a deal was reached with Bayern Munich for midfielder Marc Roca.
“Update #Roca: His medical will take place tomorrow! After that he will sign a contract until 2026, transfer fee €12m guaranteed + €5m bonuses,” he tweeted.
The former Espanyol and Spain U21 international is now set to join RB Salzburg duo Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen at Elland Road next season.
Summer of change
The Yorkshire giants are certainly conducting their business early in a bid to ensure that a repeat of last season does not happen – the Whites sealed Premier League safety on the final day with a dramatic 2-1 win over Brentford.
After bringing in two players he knows well from his days in Austria, manager Jesse Marsch will surely be delighted to be on the verge of sealing another player, this time one he hasn’t worked with before but one which does fill a key area of concern.
Is Roca a good signing for Leeds?
YES!
NO!
It’s the first time since January 2018 that Leeds have signed someone in a deeper-lying midfield role, that being Adam Forshaw from Middlesbrough – and he’s part of the reason why a new signing is needed.
He has suffered with a plethora of injuries, the latest of which ended his 2021/22 campaign early. When you throw in the coveted interest in Kalvin Phillips, who could go to Manchester City, and the poor form of Mateusz Klich, it’s easy to see why Roca has been targeted.
As Football FanCast have previously suggested, the Bayern Munich outcast could be the Whites’ very own Jorginho-like presence in the engine room.
Well-respected journalist Joe Donnohue has since described Roca as a “smooth operator” who can “steady the tempo & pick valuable forward passes,” whilst BBC Sport’s Raj Choba believes he’s “the best Kalvin Philips replacement as a 6.”
Whether the England international stay or goes remains to be seen but either way, if Roca can stay fit, then he’ll be a solid addition for March’s squad heading into the new season.
He’s surely buzzing with the club’s ambition in the transfer market.
AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano delivers update on Leeds target Takumi Minamino…