Manchester United have been linked with an unlikely summer move of 80 million euros (68.4 million euros) for Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente, and a report in Spain even claims that the Old Trafford club has already made an offer.
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Llorente is a top player whose goals and assists from an attacking midfielder have helped Atletico climb to the top of La Liga this season and give themselves a strong chance to just win their second Spanish title since 1996.
Llorente has a breakout year as goal scorer midfielder Angel Martinez / Getty Images
Some of his quality would improve most teams in Europe and he put Liverpool in the sword in the Champions League last season with two goals and an assist at Anfield.
The 26-year-old has been linked with United in the past, but AS suddenly claims that there is a potential deal on the table worth up to 80 million euros (68.4 million pounds) to Atletico, who paid city rivals Real Madrid about half to buy honom 2019.
It is claimed that United would be willing to double Llorente’s salary and that Atletico are tempted due to the economic impact that the coronavirus has had on the club. However, it would be their preference not to have to sell him.
On paper and under normal circumstances, Llorente can be a good fit for United to increase a thin squad that generally lacked depth. In addition to mainly taking on attacking roles over the last 12 months, he was originally a deeper, more defensive midfielder.
Llorente is a versatile midfielder and would improve Man Utd | BSR Agency / Getty Images
Still, these are not normal circumstances and this one feels like a non-start for inevitable reasons.
United still need quality reinforcements almost all over the pitch. But despite the fact that Coronavirus handles the economic effects better than most thanks to a strong commercial arm, the club has still not been immune to the crisis and revenues are down to what they normally should be.
There is a great knock-on effect from it that can not just be ignored.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently warned that United will not have the power to spend freely this summer and that every decision must be made carefully, which also suggests that the club will look inwards to the academy’s ranks to fill gaps in the first team squad.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær has warned Man Utd can not spend freely on transfers this summer | Alex Livesey – Danehouse / Getty Images
“There will be less and less transfers with all these changes. The lack of income, the economy has affected everyone. We must be realistic and responsible in our way of doing business on and off the field, says the manager.
United must strictly prioritize recruitment this summer. The most important signings are made in midfield, where the club has limited it to Pau Torres or Jules Kounde, and an attacking addition, whether it is Jadon Sancho, Erling Haaland or someone else.
None of these will be cheap and to be able to afford close to £ 70 million on Llorente at the top is simply unrealistic. It may be different if there was a market to sell other players, but Paul Pogba is more likely to sign a new contract leaving and Donny van de Beek’s value has fallen sharply.
In addition, with Bruno Fernandes, an improved Scott McTominay, a suitable Pogba again and the possibility that Van de Beek can still come in handy with a full pre-season under his belt, the midfield is the only area on the pitch that United can probably afford to leave. short term.
Midfield is not a priority for Man Utd this summer | Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images
Why United is a simple move when it comes to press speculation about transfers. But this year, any major signing who is not a center-back or forward will be ruled out.
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