Leeds United look set to land their third major signing of the season in Marc Roca after they Bayern Munich man rejected other offers, according to reports. The Whites have been heavily linked with the midfielder as they look to add reinforcements to a fragile midfield, and the 25-year-old was top of their shortlist.
Despite only making nine Bundesliga appearances this season, the Spanish midfielder has caught the eye of Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch for his quality on the ball - and no doubt Orta will have been aware of the silky playmaker from his time at Espanyol.
And now Spanish outlet Marca have reported that Roca will choose Leeds after rejecting offers from other clubs in Spain, with a fee of around £10 million and a contract of three or four years.
READ MORE: Leeds United's midfield transfer links so far and how likely they are to sign
“The midfielder, who had received offers from LaLiga, has opted for Leeds to continue progressing professionally in football.” The Spanish site said. “After a stage of two seasons of a few minutes, but of a lot of professional and personal learning at Bayern. There he has played 24 games and won two Bundesligas and a Club World Cup, Roca will grow in the Premier. He will arrive at Elland Road to start.”
Leeds view Roca as a reclamation project similar to that of Junior Firpo - both excelled at an average team before a big-money move that hasn’t quite paid off. Roca, however, has impressed at Munich when given a rare opportunity, but he is competing with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka for a place in that starting lineup.
The Spaniard will bring to Elland Road the qualities of a typical Spanish number six, should the transfer come through. He is a tidy and intelligent distributor of the ball and likes to dictate play from deep in the midfield, but he has been said to lack the athleticism needed in the midfield of a Marsch Leeds side.
The signing would present a risk to the club - hence the £10 million fee - but Roca’s performances at his current club have been promising and it could be a shrewd signing if it works. Leeds have already been busy in the market, bringing in RB Salzburg duo Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen for a combined £35 million.
A midfielder looks to be next on the list of priorities, with Roca linked along with Lewis O’Brien, Tyler Adams and Florian Grillitsch. Leeds will also be looking for a striker to compete with Patrick Bmford and Joe Gelhardt, while replacements for one of both of Kalvin Phillips or Raphinha will be lined up should either of them leave.
