Tens of millions may have been committed on Max Wober, Georginio Rutter and Weston McKennie (in the summer) and stolen the main headlines, but the Leeds United cherry on January’s cake may just be an exit. Less than six weeks after many fans were left scratching their heads over Diego Llorente’s contract extension, the centre-back is out the door.
Until his nadir at Brentford in September, when fit, the Spain international has generally proven a regular starter for the Whites since his arrival in September 2020. And yet, despite the faith of his head coaches, the terraces have found it hard to trust him in defence.
The logic of giving an inconsistent defender a contract extension which would take him to the eve of his 33rd birthday was lost on many last month. Of all the players heading for June 2024 contract expiries, Llorente was a long way down the list of priorities for extension.
