Rasmus Kristensen’s loan exit from Leeds United to Roma has now been agreed and the Dane is set to move, Fabrizio Romano reports.

The 25-year-old will follow Diego Llorente into Jose Mourinho’s squad after the Spaniard’s confirmed return to the Italian capital.

although his departure to Serie A appeared to be on the brink for some time there had reportedly been no “firm offer” from Roma as recently as Sunday [Yorkshire Evening Post, 9 July], but it appears that has now changed and a deal has been reached.

Reporting via Twitter on Wednesday morning Romano wrote: “AS Roma are set to sign Rasmus Kristensen, deal in place with Leeds United. Loan until June 2024 agreed on player and clubs side.

“Kristensen will follow Llorente as new Roma signing… coming from Leeds.”

Phil Hay had said on the Square Ball (11 July, 14m 30s) that the former Red Bull Salzburg man had been expected to face Manchester United in Oslo on Wednesday, as “the plan was, despite the Roma interest, for Kristensen to be out there,” but that presumably will no longer be the case.

AS Roma are set to sign Rasmus Kristensen, deal in place with Leeds United. Loan until June 2024 agreed on player and clubs side. ????????

Kristensen will follow Llorente as new Roma signing… coming from Leeds. pic.twitter.com/XeL8fwSp8t

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 12, 2023

Expected

This move, as with Llorente’s, has been in the pipeline for a while now despite the late suggestions that it wasn’t as close as expected.

That Kristensen travelled to Norway suggests the agreement has now come suddenly, especially if he was mooted to play in the first preseason game.

But it can only be a positive for Daniel Farke to get more clarity on his squad so he can concentrate on the players he will have at his disposal in the new season.

This deal is surely a significant boost to Cody Drameh’s chances of finally getting his real break in the Leeds United first team, assuming the manager can convince him to snub interest from the likes of Burnley and Luton Town.

Kristensen’s first season at Elland Road was a difficult one, and despite some flashes he didn’t live up to expectations on the whole.

And whether he ends up making a permanent move to Roma in the future or returns for a second crack at life as a Whites player will surely depend on how he fairs in Italy over the next, even if there isn’t an official clause in the loan agreement.