Leeds United’s Diego Llorente and Rasmus Kristensen have the opportunity to secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League with their loan club AS Roma if they manage to finish sixth in Serie A.
The recent success of Italian clubs in European competitions has significantly elevated the country’s standing in UEFA coefficient rankings. As a result, six teams from Italy are now eligible to enter the group stage of the 2024/25 Champions League. If AS Roma achieves this feat, it would mark the first time that six teams from a single nation have competed in Europe’s premier club competition in the same season.
As Serie A teams wrap up their remaining league matches this season, AS Roma finds themselves in a favorable position to secure the sixth spot for the Champions League. This opportunity arises following Atalanta’s UEFA Europa League victory over Bayer Leverkusen, guaranteeing Roma a sixth-place finish in the table.
Italy already boasts five Champions League places for the upcoming season due to the league’s strong performance. However, if Atalanta clinches third or fourth place, Roma would instead qualify for the Europa League.
Currently, Atalanta trails behind Bologna and Juventus by two points in the race for third and fourth place, respectively. However, Atalanta has a game in hand against Fiorentina, scheduled for June 2, a week after the Serie A campaign concludes for the other clubs. This situation leaves AS Roma in a state of uncertainty as they await confirmation of their Champions League qualification status.
Qualifying for the Champions League group stage carries a minimum financial reward of £13.5 million for each participating club. This windfall would come as a pleasant surprise for AS Roma, considering their sixth-place position in the standings. Furthermore, it could enable the club to pursue player signings that were previously beyond their financial reach for the 2024/25 season.
While neither Leeds loanee is assured of staying at Stadio Olimpico next season, Diego Llorente stands out as the most probable candidate for a permanent signing by the Italian side. According to the terms outlined in his loan agreement, Roma is expected to secure Llorente’s services permanently for a fee around £5 million.
Leeds United is anticipated to demand a higher transfer fee for Danish international Rasmus Kristensen. With his contract at Elland Road extending until 2027 and his initial signing fee estimated around £10 million, Kristensen’s market value is expected to reflect his long-term contract and potential.