Here are your Leeds United morning headlines on Wednesday, April 12.
Leeds United loanee Diego Llorente keen on AS Roma permanent transfer
Leeds United loanee Diego Llorente has revealed that if the choice were his, he would like to make his spell in Italy a permanent one.
The 29-year-old was part of a shock loan move to Roma late on in the January transfer window as he moved to Serie A to team up with Jose Mourinho's side. After initially struggling, the centre-back was on the receiving end of some complimentary words from the former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur manager for his role in a recent 3-0 win over Sampdoria.
ALSO READ: Jean-Kevin Augustin's post-Leeds United journey after fresh twist in ongoing saga
And now Llorente is being quoted by Italian media as saying "I'm fine here, I would like that," when asked if he was open to a permanent stay in Italy. Max Wober's arrival and subsequent performances has ensured his absence has not been felt too much, with Javi Gracia no doubt eager for the Austrian to return to full fitness as swiftly as possible.
It is believed that Roma would have to part ways with €18million (£15.8m) to secure Llorente's services such was the agreed 'option to buy' clause inserted within the deal.
Aaronson's Leeds United goal drought won't bring Gracia's axe given special role he's filling
Only Jack Harrison has played more minutes than Brenden Aaronson in Leeds United’s front four since Javi Gracia arrived. The American may only have one goal and three assists from 29 Premier League appearances, but he has become an example for others to follow in Gracia’s eyes.
Aaronson ended a 15-match goal-involvement drought at the weekend. The 22-year-old delivered the perfect corner onto Patrick Bamford’s head for what proved to be United’s consolation on Sunday.
Assists may not be enough to sate the midfielder’s thirst, however. Attacking returns may have eluded Aaronson for long spells of this season and seen others jump ahead him in the pecking order, but he has been a mainstay since Gracia came in.
Leeds United's door propped open by £15.5m stack for Jean-Kevin Augustin's inevitable next move
Eyes in the Jean-Kevin Augustin camp must have lit up on November 4 last year. When the Court of Arbitration for Sport sided with FIFA and RB Leipzig on Leeds United’s transfer dispute with the Bundesliga outfit, it must have felt like Christmas came early for the French forward’s representatives.
In ordering Leeds to honour a permanent transfer which should have come to pass, football’s governing bodies were effectively legitimising Augustin’s prospective Elland Road contract. The details of the striker’s deal at Leeds, in the event of promotion from the Championship, have never been made public, but The Athletic has provided some context.
Last night, the website reported FIFA had ordered another eight-figure payout from Leeds, but this time for allegedly breaching Augustin’s contract. A £24.5m instruction sums up why the French striker’s representatives, led by agent Meïssa N'Diaye, have followed hot on the heels of Leipzig with their own litigation.
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