Potential new Leeds United signing Marc Roca will be looking to follow in the footsteps of ‘idol’ Xabi Alonso if his move to Elland Road goes through. Roca is reportedly closing in on a move to the Whites from Bayern Munich, with the 25-year-old set to put pen to paper on a four-year deal.
Leeds have been busy during the early stages of the summer transfer window, with Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen having already joined. Roca now looks set to be the third man through the door with various reports now stating a deal could be concluded as early as this week.
Roca’s career path has already been similar to that of his hero Alonso, with both moving from La Liga to Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich. While he has not enjoyed the same success Alonso had at the Allianz Arena, if he can be half the player the former Liverpool star was in the Premier League, he will be a top signing for Leeds.
READ MORE: 'Yellow away' - Leeds United supporters tell Andrea Radrizzani what they want from new kit
Alonso made over 200 appearances for the Reds and won the Champions League and FA Cup during his time on Merseyside. In an era littered with elite Spanish midfielders, he also played a key role in Spain’s four-year period of international dominance, in which they won the EUROs either side of the 2010 World Cup.
In an interview last summer, Roca revealed he has never got the chance to meet of his hero Alonso, but hailed the former Bayern and Real Madrid’s man’s quality during his player days.
He said: "Unfortunately no, but I hope I will get a chance (to meet him) in my life. He was a childhood idol for me. He was a great defensive midfielder and a leader."
