Llorente extends
Things seem to be going alright for Spanish international midfielder and former Manchester United target Marcos Llorente on the other side of Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano. The midfielder signed on the dotted line with a new 6-year deal with Atlético Madrid.
“I arrived at Atletico full of ambition two years ago. Since then, I’ve travelled a path in which I’ve grown as a footballer and as a person. I’ve fallen and gotten up. I’ve found a second family and we’ve lived unforgettable moments. There are places in the world where you feel full, there are people who make you live life and there are moments that will always remain. I have all that here, where I am happy. And where I’m going to continue until 2027, at least. Let’s continue on this beautiful path together.” [Marcos Llorente via his personal Twitter]
OFFICIAL: Marcos Llorente has signed a new contract at Atletico Madrid until 2027 📝 pic.twitter.com/JJtdaGMBBZ
— Goal (@goal) August 18, 2021
Atletico Madrid career
The Madrid-native and former Real Madrid youth product never moved forward during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, making just 22-appearances in the four seasons he spent at the club after coming through the youth ranks at La Fábrica.
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 28: Marcos Llorente of Real Madridin action during the La Liga match between Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on April 28, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Llorente eventually swapped one capital club for another in 2019 in a £35million deal in June of that summer, and since his move to Diego Simeone’s outfit, has come on leaps and bounds while cementing his place as one of the key figures in the first-team.
Tactically versatile – a trait he has shown as soon as last season when he deputized at right-back in place of Kieran Trippier – Llorente offers a very balanced and assured presence when deployed centrally in tandem with the likes of Koke and Saúl Ñíguez. Securing his services for the foreseeable future should be viewed as a job well done by Atléti in a summer window that has hardly gone according to plan as they look to defend their La Liga crown.
Despite constant links with potential players that could come in the door, the club has completed just two deals; one for Fluminese youngster Marcos Paulo (20), and a £30million move for Udinese’s Argentine international creative spark Rodrigo de Paul.
As for previous United interest, the deal all but rules out Llorente ditching La Liga for the Premier League, and the reported €180million release clause inserted into his contract surely leaves United in a position to look elsewhere if they are to add quality to a squad with the aim of hunting down rivals Manchester City.
