Liverpool turned down the chance of signing Real Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente this summer, according to the player’s uncle and agent. 

The 24-year-old sealed a move to Atletico Madrid earlier this month for €40m (£36m) but before the switch was finalised, Julio Llorente said he offered the Spaniard to the Reds.

He revealed that Jurgen Klopp’s side opted against making a bid because they already have a number of defensive midfielders in their squad:

“I contacted several clubs to let them know what had happened, the conversation that Zidane and Marcos had.”

“One of them was Liverpool, but Marcos’s position was covered and it wasn’t a priority. But Atletico are those who perhaps took the strongest step and convinced us. I think we’re right. I hope it’s like that, I hope Marcos does very well.”

Liverpool were not the only Premier League team that were offered the player, though, with reports suggesting that Tottenham and Chelsea were also sounded out.

The Blues are currently subject to a transfer ban so they couldn’t have signed Llorente anyway, while Spurs are believed to be close to signing Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon.

Liverpool have yet to sign a senior player this summer, and it could well be a quiet transfer window with Klopp said to be happy with the makeup of his squad.