Marc Roca has joined Real Betis on loan for the 23-24 campaign from Leeds United but the Spaniard’s game time could already be in doubt – as Fabrizio Romano reports Betis are now targeting another midfielder, in Sergi Altimira.
Roca, 26, joined Betis as one of a number of players leaving the club on loan. Victor Orta, rather annoyingly and to the public frustration of Daniel Farke, included a clause in the deal of some players that allowed them to go on loan.
Six players have now gone on loan to foreign clubs – meaning only one slot remains, for a Leeds player to leave the country on loan. Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Rasmus Kristensen, Max Wober and Brenden Aaronson, and Roca.
It is unclear if Roca is going to start for Betis under Manuel Pellegrini this season. Of the five pre-season friendlies he has been available for, Roca has started three – but failed to start the last two against Sevilla and Real Sociedad.
Betis have options in the middle of the park. Isco, Guido Rodriguez, William Carvalho, Andres Guardado and Paul Akouokou just to name a few. So, Roca’s game time was always going to be up and down. But more bad news.
After more than 60 games for Sabadell, Altimira joined Getafe on a free this summer – but he could be on the move again. Betis are keen. A box-to-box, no.6-type midfielder. Similar to Roca. Known for his passing and not for goals.
So, with the midfield options Pellegrini has an offer already plentiful – especially, given Carvalho was expected to be on the mov/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72440596/1240626793.0.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)
e, possibly to Saudi Arabia, a new signing will only hinder Roca even further. That now looks very likely.
