Diego Llorente does not want to leave Real Betis in the January transfer window, thus creating an insurmountable stumbling block for Aston Villa.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Diego Llorente is the subject of interest from Aston Villa. The Villans want to sell Diego Carlos and replace him with the Real Betis centre-back in the January transfer window. However, the 31-year-old defender does not want to leave the Andalusian outfit only six months after joining them from Leeds United.
Diego Llorente and a rollercoaster of a career
Diego Llorente has established himself as one of the best defenders in La Liga since joining Real Betis from Leeds United in the summer transfer window. A native of Madrid, the Spaniard spent most of his formative years with Real Madrid and graduated from La Fabrica. However, he rose in prominence during his spell with Real Sociedad.
Leeds United signed Llorente in September 2020, but he could not make his mark at Elland Road. Instead, the 31-year-old resurrected his fortunes during his loan spell with AS Roma before Real Betis came calling in July. The experienced defender has been a mainstay at the back for Los Verdiblancos, turning out 17 times thus far this term while amassing nearly 1,500 minutes of game time.
Meanwhile, Llorente’s progress at Real Betis has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. Another opportunity in the Premier League awaits the Spanish defender, with recent reports linking him with Aston Villa heading into the January transfer window.
Premier League return on the horizon?
Aston Villa’s interest in Diego Llorente is understandable. The Villans are scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the January transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding the long-term future of Diego Carlos. The Brazilian defender might leave Aston Villa next year, thus creating the space for a new centre-back.
So, several candidates, including Enzo Boyomo, have emerged on Aston Villa’s radar, with Llorente also a viable target. However, the Spaniard will not leave Real Betis in the January transfer window, as he does not want to part ways with the Andalusian outfit a few months after joining them from Leeds United.
With Llorente not interested in leaving Real Betis to join Aston Villa, the West Midlands outfit must look elsewhere for a central defensive reinforcement. It will be interesting to see who they sign in the January transfer window.
