Manchester United are reportedly considering a January loan deal for former Real Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente, presently at Atletico Madrid.
According to a report by Manchester Evening News, Manchester United have set their sights on Marcos Llorente over a possible move in the January transfer window. The Premier League giants are eager to secure the services of the former Real Madrid star on a loan deal this winter.
Marcos Llorente promised much when he impressed on a season-loan loan spell with Alaves a few years back. The Spaniard, however, could never manage to nail down a place for himself in the Real Madrid first-team setup and was shipped out to local rivals Atletico Madrid last summer.
The player, though, has continued to struggle for game time this season, managing to start just 3 of Atletico Madrid’s 27 games so far, raking in a mere 368 minutes. As a result, rumours of a January move make sense for the 24-year-old, with Manchester United showing an interest.
Midfield has been a major problem area for Manchester United this season, with the issues being compounded further due to the absence of key figures Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay. Fred has been the only other consistent midfielder this season.
Nemanja Matic has been solid at times when given an opportunity, but it is clear that the Serb is running on his last legs as a Manchester United player. While much of the focus this month has been on a possible move for Bruno Fernandes, with none of Fred, Pogba and McTominay being natural holding midfielders, the need to sign such a player is understandable.
To that end, Manchester United have also been linked with Declan Rice lately, although a January move might be unlikely, with West Ham United expected to fight hard to retain his services. As a result, former Real Madrid midfielder Llorente has now emerged as a viable target.
Manchester United are only interested in signing Llorente on loan till the end of the season, in a deal which could work out well for all parties involved. Atletico Madrid could see the player develop away from the Wanda Metropolitano, while Llorente can vie for minutes as he looks to earn a place in the Spanish national squad for the UEFA Euro 2020.
As for Manchester United, they could have a short-term solution to their midfield woes. While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted that he is primarily looking to make only long-term additions to his squad, he has also admitted that such moves might not be possible in the January transfer window, which is why a move for Llorente makes sense.
The ex-Real Madrid star, though, will need to adapt quickly to English football, a prospect that is easier said than done, as seen in the cases of Arsenal loanees Denis Suarez and Dani Ceballos most recently. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if a Manchester United loan move for Llorente sees the light of the day this month.
Manchester United are reportedly considering a January loan deal for former Real Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente, presently at Atletico Madrid.
According to a report by Manchester Evening News, Manchester United have set their sights on Marcos Llorente over a possible move in the January transfer window. The Premier League giants are eager to secure the services of the former Real Madrid star on a loan deal this winter.
Marcos Llorente promised much when he impressed on a season-loan loan spell with Alaves a few years back. The Spaniard, however, could never manage to nail down a place for himself in the Real Madrid first-team setup and was shipped out to local rivals Atletico Madrid last summer.
The player, though, has continued to struggle for game time this season, managing to start just 3 of Atletico Madrid’s 27 games so far, raking in a mere 368 minutes. As a result, rumours of a January move make sense for the 24-year-old, with Manchester United showing an interest.
Midfield has been a major problem area for Manchester United this season, with the issues being compounded further due to the absence of key figures Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay. Fred has been the only other consistent midfielder this season.
Nemanja Matic has been solid at times when given an opportunity, but it is clear that the Serb is running on his last legs as a Manchester United player. While much of the focus this month has been on a possible move for Bruno Fernandes, with none of Fred, Pogba and McTominay being natural holding midfielders, the need to sign such a player is understandable.
To that end, Manchester United have also been linked with Declan Rice lately, although a January move might be unlikely, with West Ham United expected to fight hard to retain his services. As a result, former Real Madrid midfielder Llorente has now emerged as a viable target.
Manchester United are only interested in signing Llorente on loan till the end of the season, in a deal which could work out well for all parties involved. Atletico Madrid could see the player develop away from the Wanda Metropolitano, while Llorente can vie for minutes as he looks to earn a place in the Spanish national squad for the UEFA Euro 2020.
As for Manchester United, they could have a short-term solution to their midfield woes. While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted that he is primarily looking to make only long-term additions to his squad, he has also admitted that such moves might not be possible in the January transfer window, which is why a move for Llorente makes sense.
The ex-Real Madrid star, though, will need to adapt quickly to English football, a prospect that is easier said than done, as seen in the cases of Arsenal loanees Denis Suarez and Dani Ceballos most recently. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if a Manchester United loan move for Llorente sees the light of the day this month.