As European players continue to swarm the Saudi Pro League, Spanish midfielder Marcos Llorente is about to join Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
According to reports, the 28-year-old is planning to transfer to the Middle East, joining players like Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, and Allan Saint-Maximin.
Llorente, who was previously a crucial member of Diego Simeone’s starting lineup at Atlético Madrid, saw his importance shrink after the team signed Rodrigo de Paul and changed its approach to play more possession-based. Llorente’s playing time was further reduced by Nahuel Molina’s ascension to the main right-back position.
The movement of European talent to Saudi Arabia during this summer’s transfer window has been a notable trend. Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves, and Jordan Henderson are all well-known players that have moved to the Saudi Pro League, following Cristiano Ronaldo, who did the same when he joined the league midway through the previous season.
On the other side, Atlético Madrid is dealing with a number of unsolved transfer issues. Yannick Carrasco and Alvaro Morata have both been linked with possible transfers away from the Spanish club, while Joao Felix is yet to find a new team.
In less than two weeks, the La Liga season will begin. On Monday, August 14, Atlético Madrid will play its opening match against recently promoted Granada. Prior to the initial matches against Real Betis, Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla, and Valencia, manager Diego Simeone surely wants to have a stable team.
Marcos Llorente demonstrated his offensive skill during his most productive campaign at Atlético Madrid, scoring 12 goals in La Liga to help the side win the league title. He made 33 starts, and he was essential to their successful season. However, he played substantially less last season, starting in only 21 games, and recording only one goal after going goalless the season before.
