Man United eyeing up move for “influential” £51m star, just imagine him with Mount
A recent update has emerged regarding Manchester United’s interest in a potential transfer target as they continue to strengthen their squad for success.
What has changed recently in relation to Manchester United’s pursuit of Marcos Llorente?
According to reports from Spain, Manchester United has shown interest in signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente this summer. The Red Devils are expected to face competition from their fierce Premier League rivals, Liverpool, for the services of the Serie A star in the upcoming 2019-2020 season. It is believed that a bid of £60 million would be sufficient to convince Llorente’s club to let him go.
Marcos Llorente: How good is he?
With the acquisition of Mason Mount from Chelsea, manager Erik ten Hag has already started adding depth to the midfield for the upcoming campaign. Llorente could be another valuable addition to the squad this summer.
Llorente has demonstrated his versatility by playing in various midfield positions, as well as excelling as a right-back. This makes him an incredibly valuable asset for Ten Hag in the upcoming season. He brings a diverse skill set and experience in multiple positions, which could greatly benefit Manchester United.
When comparing Llorente to talented midfielders like Gavi, Khephren Thuram, and Sandro Tonali over the past year, it is evident that he possesses a great work ethic and the ability to make an impact both offensively and defensively.
According to FBref, Llorente, who was referred to as “influential” by his former Atletico Madrid teammate Luis Suarez, ranks in the top 10% of his positional peers in the top five European leagues for progressive carries, touches, and passes received. He also ranks in the top 25% for shot-creating actions.
Mount’s arrival is undoubtedly a significant addition for Manchester United, but he will need to find his best position on the field and adapt to a more disciplined role to fulfill his potential at Old Trafford. The addition of Llorente could provide an opportunity to unleash Mount’s full potential.
Despite having a stronger offensive game, Llorente, who used to be Casemiro’s backup at Real Madrid, outperformed Mount in terms of interceptions per 90 minutes (0.89), clearances per 90 minutes (1.03), and pass completion (81.2% vs. 76.4%). This demonstrates that Llorente could be more reliable in a deeper role alongside Casemiro.
While Mount’s exact role in the midfield for the upcoming season is still uncertain, having a hard-working teammate who can not only retrieve the ball to advance the game but also provide Mount with attacking opportunities would be highly beneficial.
If Llorente can help Mount replicate his best season at Chelsea, where he contributed to 29 goals across all competitions in 2021-2022, it could be a game-changer for Manchester United.
Considering all these factors, there is no doubt that Llorente would be an excellent addition to Manchester United this summer.