Transfer News: Manchester United make £68.5m offer for Marcos Llorente
According to Spanish news outlet AS (h/t Express), Manchester United have made a £68.5m offer to secure the transfer of Marcos Llorente from Atletico Madrid.
Llorente, 26, came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid and became a first-team member at the club after a successful loan spell at Alaves. However, having been behind Casemiro in the pecking order, the Spaniard moved to Atletico Madrid in search of game-time in 2019.
Since making the switch to the Wanda Metropolitano, Llorente has flourished brilliantly. While he is a defensive midfielder primarily, under Diego Simeone, Llorente’s attacking qualities have come to the fore over the past year or so.
The midfielder helped down Liverpool from the Champions League last term and has already scored 10 times this term, while setting up nine more in 36 games in all competitions. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Able to play as a No. 6 or a No. 8, Llorente has also been deployed as a secondary striker at the top to play just off of Luis Suarez while he has also done the job as a right wing-back.
Such versatility would come in extremely handy at Manchester United as we are in need of finding a long-term replacement for Nemanja Matic while Paul Pogba faces an uncertain future with his contract expiring in a year.
To that end, Manchester United are said to have launched an offer of £68.5m to secure the transfer of Llorente. And even though he is a key player for the side, Atletico Madrid are tempted to accept the offer due to their financial situation post the pandemic.
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Llorente, however, is not looking for an exit as he is happy and settled at Atletico. Nevertheless, Manchester United are willing to double his wages in order to convince him to make the switch.
If signed, Llorente can prove to be a shrewd signing who has age on his side and is versatile enough to play in multiple roles.
