Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City monitor Marcos Llorente as Atletico talks reach critical phase

Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City are monitoring Marcos Llorente as contract discussions between the midfielder and Atletico Madrid enter a critical phase, according to transfer market sources. Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also tracking the 29-year-old Spain international, whose contract at the Metropolitano runs until June 2027.

Atletico officials remain confident of securing Llorente’s long-term future. The player has previously said he wants to finish his career with the Colchoneros, but with his contract entering its final two years, his representatives are reportedly staying informed of foreign interest as they evaluate potential career options.

Liverpool are currently leading the Premier League under head coach Arne Slot. The club’s recruitment department is exploring versatile players for midfield and right-back, and Llorente’s ability to operate as an inverted right-back, wing-back or dynamic central midfielder fits the fluid demands of Slot’s system.

He is already familiar to Liverpool supporters. In March 2020, Llorente scored twice in extra time at Anfield to eliminate the then-defending champions from the UEFA Champions League round of 16. The performance became a breakout moment that redefined his trajectory under Atletico manager Diego Simeone.

Since joining Atletico, Llorente has made more than 200 appearances in all competitions and established himself as one of La Liga’s most consistent and physically resilient performers. Simeone converted him from a deep-lying defensive midfielder into an ultra-versatile box-to-box midfielder and second striker, and he played a pivotal role in Atletico’s 2020–21 La Liga title campaign.

Chelsea, led by head coach Enzo Maresca, are assessing experienced players to balance their young squad. Manchester City are also seeking versatile options to maintain tactical control amid squad rotation and midfield injury concerns.

Llorente was developed in Real Madrid’s youth academy before making a direct cross-town move to Atletico in June 2019 for a reported €40 million, approximately £35 million. He comes from a prominent Spanish sporting family: his father, Paco Llorente, and maternal grandfather, Ramón Grosso, represented both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, while his maternal great-uncle was the Real Madrid winger Paco Gento.

Llorente turns 30 in January 2025, but interested clubs do not view his age as a deterrent. Decision-makers regard his elite physical conditioning, tactical intelligence and immediate readiness as valuable traits that outweigh typical age-profile recruitment restrictions.