Man Utd derailed as Atletico prepare measures to prevent €80m bid for star

Marcos Llorente TEAMtalk

Interest in Manchester United midfield target Marcos Llorente is growing, according to reports – leaving Atletico Madrid scrambling to secure his future.

Llorente is enjoying a productive season with Atletico and it may just end with La Liga glory. His side are top of the table with three games to go. But there are fears that his time with the club may be coming to an end. He has long since been on the radar of other European giants.

United are major admirers and there has been talk of them preparing an €80m bid. According to AS, that remains a strong possibility.

But the Red Devils are not the only interested party. They have now been joined by Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain in the race for Llorente.

Such interest has led to fears from Atletico fans that their star will be sold. However, the Rojiblancos are ready to send a signal of intent over the Spaniard’s future.

AS claim that Atletico want to tie Llorente down to a new deal to prove he is going nowhere. He is currently under contract until 2024 but they could extend that deal even further. Llorente would also receive a better wage as a result.

There have been several meetings between the club and Llorente’s agent. It seems they have been productive and he could put pen to paper imminently.

May 12 Transfer Chatter: Arsenal want Dembele, Chelsea plan Barca swap and Roma want White

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That would come as a blow to United who have been monitoring the situation in recent months.

Llorente would have added another dimension to their team but it seems they will have to look elsewhere if they still want to strengthen in his position.


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Liverpool target urged to join United

One midfielder with a different skillset who they should consider, according to one pundit, is Brighton’s Yves Bissouma.

At the age of 24, Bissouma has shown his potential and could be ready to flourish elsewhere. For example, Liverpool have been strongly linked in recent weeks.

But another option could be Man Utd, who are looking to find the right balance in midfield. And it is a move to Old Trafford that would make the most sense for Bissouma, according to Ian Wright.

The former Premier League striker said on Wrighty’s House Podcast (via HITC): “You look at Bissouma and Bissouma is looking at Liverpool, and we know that Liverpool have had their problems this season.

“If you’ve got to choose between Liverpool and Man Utd in the current climate, I’m probably going to go with Man Utd.

“What’s going on at Liverpool is there are a lot of players getting into that 30 age bracket – Van Dijk, Henderson, the three guys up front.

“You think to yourself, yeah Liverpool magnificent what they have done the last couple of years.

“But you look at Man Utd and what Man Utd are on the cusp of doing and it’s a much more attractive proposition right now.

“And I’m not being disrespectful for Liverpool. But where’s the funding?”

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