Phil Hay
@PhilHay_
Sources in Germany tell
@TheAthleticUK
that Leeds United are targeting Bayern Munich's Marc Roca, formerly of Espanyol, as they look to increase their midfield options.
Leeds United have turned their attention to signing Bayern Munich’s Marc Roca after finalising a deal for Rasmus Kristensen.
The Athletic understands that Leeds want to strengthen their midfield by bringing Roca to Elland Road, increasing the competition and support for England international Kalvin Phillips.
Roca, 25, is two years into a five-year contract at Bayern but is believed to be available for a fee in the region of £10 million and sources in Germany say West Ham United have also been monitoring the Spaniard.
Bayern took Roca to the Bundesliga in 2020, recruiting him from Espanyol where he started his professional career.
Roca made more than 100 appearances in La Liga and was also part of the Spain squad who won the European Under-21 Championship in 2019. He left for Germany on the back of Espanyol suffering relegation.
His opportunities at Bayern have been limited, amounting to six league outings last season and nine this season, but Leeds want to widen their midfield resources before the start of the new Premier League term and are pushing for an agreement over Roca having initially identified him as a future target in January.
Leeds have made early inroads with their transfer business this summer, securing a £25 million deal for Brenden Aaronson from RB Salzburg within a week of the 2021-22 season finishing and wrapping up the signing of another Salzburg player, right-back Kristensen, on a five-year deal for £10m yesterday.