La Liga
Atletico Madrid Sign Marcos Llorente
Real Madrid sell the 24-year-old midfielder to their cross-town rivals for a fee of $45 million.
Los Colchoneros will be happy to have found a suitable replacement for Rodri Hernandez. The former Villareal midfielder almost certain to be leaving despite a $79 million release cause.
Interestingly, many fans of the whites will meet the news with disappointment. Llorente being a favorite at the Bernabeu for putting in a string of good performances under then coach Santiago Solari.
Nevertheless, the Castilla youth product joins Atletico on a five-year contract with head coach Zinedine Zidane deeming him surplus to requirements.
Despite a disappointing season this year, Casemiro remains Los Blancos defensive midfielder of choice. The Brazilian playing a key role in midfield for the Spanish giant’s three consecutive UCL victories.
However, the former Porto player who is currently competing with his national team in Copa America knows he must work hard to earn the trust of his fans upon returning to the Spanish capital.
Meanwhile, Llorente becomes a part of a major rebuild at Atletico. Coach Diego Simeone will be content to acquire a player he is known to have wanted for some time to play alongside Saul and Koke.
Not only is the Madrid born midfielder a naturally defensive player, is young and hard working. Furthermore, Marcos could develop to be a dagger in the heart of Atleti’s more illustrious neighbors.
Real Madrid and Zidane, however, will hope they do not regret letting such a home-grown prize go to their rivals. Although having to pay for the signings of Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic and Ferland Mendy means they don’t get to choose who to sell to.
Written by Chris Cartwright
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Photo credit to Marcos Llorente via Twitter
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