Spain star won’t rule out Liverpool or Man Utd move
Martin Macdonald
- 28 Jun 2021 09:12 BST
Spain and Atletico Madrid star Marcos Llorente has refused to rule out a transfer away from the capital club this summer, with Manchester United and Liverpool both reportedly interested in a transfer.
Llorente has emerged as a key player for Diego Simeone's side ever since his switch from Real Madrid in the 2019/20 season.
In the 2020/21 campaign which saw Atletico win La Liga, he scored 12 goals and recorded 11 assists in 33 starts in the league.
Earlier this season, Spanish outlet AS reported that Man Utd, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Paris-Saint Germain had all made their interest known in Llorente, who is valued at around £68 million by Atletico.
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Even though the Spaniard insists he is happy in Spain, he is open to the idea of moving on from Atletico.
"I have many years left [on my contract]. My idea is to stay, I'm fine, I'm happy at Atletico Madrid," Llorente told AS.
"We have had a great season winning La Liga. Anything can happen in football, but I don't think about that kind of thing. I am happy and now I am with the national team.
"There were conversations a long time ago, it is true, but nothing happened and the negotiation was not completed. I have no problem."
Anything can happen in football - Marcos Llorente on a potential transfer away from Atletico
- Where could Llorente move?
One issue with Llorente is that he is perhaps a victim of his own versatility as he can play in a number of positions on the pitch.
So, it is unclear what position the likes of Man Utd and Liverpool see as his best.
Throughout the season for Atletico, he has played in central midfield, to the right of a midfield four and also in the number 10 role behind the striker.
It is that central role in the hole in which he has played his best football, but for Spain in the Euros so far he has featured exclusively as a right-back.
With regards to Man Utd, they are simply not prioritising the acquisition of another player to play in the number 10 position due to the presence of Bruno Fernandes.
The primary objective this summer, again, is to acquire Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and after that deal is finally completed, they will move on to the targeting of a centre-back.
Liverpool, on the other hand, are in fact prioritising the recruitment of a central midfielder as Georginio Wijnaldum has already left the club to join PSG on a free transfer.
