Liverpool, City and Chelsea chase Atletico's Llorente as contract runs down

Liverpool are monitoring Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente as the Spain international enters the final months of his contract at the Wanda Metropolitano, with Manchester City and Chelsea also tracking the versatile 31-year-old, according to TEAMtalk.

The interest carries a certain irony for Liverpool supporters. Llorente has scored five Champions League goals against the Reds across his career, four of them at Anfield — including a brace in a 3-2 Atletico win there last season and an opener in the clubs’ league-phase meeting in early September this term.

Llorente joined Atletico from Real Madrid in 2019 for €30 million and has since made more than 300 appearances under Diego Simeone. His ability to play in central midfield and at right-back has broadened his appeal, with Liverpool and Chelsea both said to be assessing their options in those areas of the pitch. Manchester City, meanwhile, are reported to value his experience as they look to build depth under Enzo Maresca.

Llorente’s age — he turned 31 in January — is described as “not significant” to any of the three Premier League clubs in the running. Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also said to be keeping a close watch on the Spaniard, who stepped back from the Spanish national team setup after their World Cup triumph this summer.

Atletico Madrid are determined to keep Llorente and believe internally that he will sign a new deal. Fresh talks between the club and the player’s camp have begun, though his representatives are fully aware of the growing European interest. Whether Simeone’s side can secure his signature before the window opens remains the central question surrounding one of La Liga’s most reliable performers.