FC Bayern appears to be on the lookout for an interesting opportunity in the transfer market. Marcos Llorente of Atlético Madrid is reportedly on the Munich club’s radar. What’s particularly interesting: The 31-year-old could be available on a free transfer next summer.
As reported by the website TEAMtalk, in addition to the German record champions, FC Barcelona and several top English clubs are also monitoring the Spaniard’s situation. However, Bayern’s interest is said to be only tentative at this point.
Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City are said to be taking a more concrete interest in Llorente. According to the report, there are currently no negotiations regarding a move to Munich or an offer from Bayern.
Llorente would be available on a free transfer
The right-footed player’s contract with Atlético expires at the end of the season. This means Llorente could leave the Spanish capital club on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Atlético, however, would like to prevent this scenario and extend the 31-year-old’s contract. Under Diego Simeone, Llorente remains a regular in the starting lineup and sees consistent playing time.
His versatility makes the Spaniard particularly attractive. Llorente can play both on the right wing or as a right back, as well as in central midfield. He has made 308 competitive appearances for Atlético so far, scoring 37 goals and providing 45 assists.
Should an extension not materialize, competition for the experienced all-rounder is likely to heat up significantly in the coming months at the latest.
How serious is Bayern’s interest?
Whether Llorente will actually become a serious candidate for FC Bayern remains to be seen. According to TEAMtalk, the Munich club is merely monitoring his situation from a distance. Furthermore, the roster is already well-staffed in his preferred positions.
On the right side of defense, Bayern has several options available, including Vincent Kompany, Konrad Laimer, and Josip Stanisic. There is also no immediate need in central midfield at the moment.
However, changes to the roster could still influence the situation. Sacha Boey is allowed to leave FC Bayern if a suitable offer comes along. Furthermore, club officials are already working on roster planning for the upcoming season.
A free agent with Llorente’s experience and versatility would, in principle, be an interesting opportunity on the market. At present, however, there is no indication that Bayern is actively preparing a transfer. For now, the record champions appear to be merely biding their time with regard to Llorente.