Manchester United are interested in signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente in the summer. Llorente has been a vital player for Atleti in their very impressive season and has been an ever-present in Diego Simeone’s side, who are on course to win only their second league title since 1996.
As per Spanish daily AS (via Mirror), Manchester United could make a bid of around £68 million for the 26-year-old midfielder. The Spanish side know of interest in their prized asset and are readying a new contract for him. His current deal with the club expires in 2024.
Marcos Llorente has had a breakthrough season, scoring 13 goals and providing 12 assists for the club in all competitions. The Atletico Madrid midfielder joined the club from city rivals Real Madrid in 2019 for around £35 million.
Marcos Llorente: A smashing move by Ole?
Marcos Llorente has been fantastic for Atletico Madrid in the current season and has been one of the main reasons for the club’s current position in the La Liga table. The Spaniard is a versatile player who primarily plays as a central midfielder but is capable of playing out wide or further forward as an attacking midfielder. Llorente has also played on a few occasions as a second striker for Atleti.
The former Real Madrid player is an all-action midfielder who can do a bit of everything whilst operating from the middle of the park. Llorente has loads of energy, be it with the ball or without, and contributes in both attack and defence. He is a quick player who uses his energy to make key tackles, averaging two tackles per game in La Liga this season.
Llorente also creates chances for his teammates with his neat and clever passing in the final third, while he is also deadly in front of the goal, racking up 12 goals in the league from midfield.
Manchester United would benefit hugely from the addition of a player like Llorente to their squad as he could add enthusiasm and work-rate in the middle of the park. The Red Devils lack quality in the middle of the pitch as the two options that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has used in midfield, Scott McTominay and Fred, don’t possess the passing or dribbling ability to get out of tight situations. The duo are defensive-minded players who have not been able to link midfield and attack, which has forced Solskjaer to primarily play a counter-attacking game for almost all of his time at Old Trafford.
Marcos Llorente has the speed, tenacity, dribbling and goalscoring ability to dominate the midfield area, while also being a threat in both boxes. He is a player with experience and is set to hit his prime years as a footballer. The fee for the Spaniard may be on the higher side, but he is just 26 years of age and has a lot to offer. This could be a good move for Manchester United who will need to strengthen in a couple of areas at least, in the summer.
