Man Utd 'make £68.5m offer for Marcos Llorente and prepare to double his wages'

Manchester United have tabled an offer of £68.5million for Atletico Madrid star Marcos Llorente, according to reports in Spain.

The 26-year-old has become a regular fixture in Diego Simeone's side over the past 12 months and has scored 10 goals and recorded nine assists so far this season.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to add to his midfield options this summer in a bid to turn his side into consistent Premier League title contenders.

And according to Spanish outlet AS, they have submitted a bid of €80m to the current LaLiga leaders for the versatile Spain international.

The report adds that Old Trafford chiefs have offered Llorente - whose current contract at Atletico expires in the summer of 2024 - double his current £90,000-per-week wages.

But the same outlet also states the player - who has played in a more advanced midfield role and behind the striker in recent times after starting out as a holding midfielder - is not keen on the move and is happy to stay at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Atletico too had not planned on selling Llorente, but the enormous figure involved and the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic means the Spanish capital-based side are now reportedly seriously considering the proposal.

United were said to have initially registered an interest in signing Llorente during last year's January transfer market, but again he was reluctant to leave his home country.

Just over a month later, Llorente hit the headlines by scoring twice at Anfield to knock then holders Liverpool out of the Champions League.

The midfielder started his professional career at rivals Real Madrid and made 39 appearances in all competitions for the current LaLiga champions.

He then moved to Atletico two summers ago and has gone on to win two caps for Spain since making his international debut last year.

United are set to look for additions in the summer transfer window following the appointments of football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher.

The Red Devils are eyeing a move for a centre forward, with Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland heavily linked given the £65m release clause in his contract and claims Solskjaer is in regular contact with the Norway striker.

Solskjaer - who is in line for a new, improved deal at United until 2024 - is also keen on strengthening his defensive options, with Ibrahima Konate, Pau Torres and Raphael Varane all being linked with moves to Old Trafford.