Marcos Llorente to Transfer from Real Madrid to Atletico Madrid Pending Medical
Atletico Madrid on Thursday announced they had secured a deal for Real Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente, and the move will become official once he passes a medical examination.
The Rojiblancos reported the news via their official website, adding he will sign a five-year contract.
According to La Liga writer David Cartlidge, the fee sits between €35 million and €40 million:
He also explained Llorente is being bought to replace star midfielder Rodri:
According to Sky Sports News, Rodri has told Atletico he wishes to leave. Fabrizio Romano reported on Instagram Manchester City have confirmed they will pay the midfielder's €70 million buyout clause.
Llorente profiles as a capable replacement who brings a more limited skill set to the table but should arguably be a better fit for Diego Simeone's system.
The 24-year-old is a defensive specialist with excellent passing range and has long been regarded as one of the brightest prospects to emerge from Real's academy in recent years. He impressed on loan at Deportivo Alaves during the 2016-17 season, but he was forced to wait for his opportunity in the capital.
His chance finally came last season following an injury to Casemiro, and Llorente made the most of it. He was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable campaign for Los Blancos and came close to passing Casemiro in the pecking order, only for injury to intervene, per AS' Robbie Dunne:
He only featured in three more La Liga matches after he returned from injury because manager Zinedine Zidane put his full faith in Casemiro.
Sports writer Simon Harrison loves Llorente's fit under Simeone, who prioritises defensive solidity and physicality over technical brilliance:
His health will be key, but if the medical tests don't reveal any problems, there's no reason why Llorente can't come in and replace Rodri immediately. He's a proven performer at La Liga level who impressed when he finally got his opportunity, and he appears ready to blossom as a regular starter for the Rojiblancos.
