:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64041944/1148934323.jpg.0.jpg)
It’s official. Real Madrid have sold midfielder Marcos Llorente to Atletico de Madrid, the club announced on their official website.
Atleti will reportedly pay Real Madrid €40 million for this transfer, a reasonable amount of money for a player who barely got minutes during the past two seasons. Still, Los Blancos could have probably used Llorente this upcoming season. The Spanish midfielder completed some very solid performances when Casemiro was injured and could’ve even competed for a starting spot.
However, he was never in Zinedine Zidane’s plans and the return of the French coach to the club during the last part of the season all but sealed Llorente’s fate away of Real Madrid.
Llorente joined Real Madrid’s academy in 2008 and always showed willingness to play for the first team. Now, he will defend Atleti’s colors and will be expected to start for Simeone as Rodri secures his move to Manchester City.