Al-Ahli 'close in on £20m move for Atletico Madrid ace Marcos Llorente'

Atletico Madrid's pre-season preparations are set to be disrupted by the imminent departure of Marcos Llorente to Saudi Arabia.

It is understood that Diego Simeone was counting on the midfielder for the 2023-24 season, until his head was turned by a very lucrative offer to entice him to the cash-rich Kingdom.

Saudi Arabian clubs have been on an aggressive recruitment drive this summer to prise some of Europe's best players away from the continent.

Now the Athletic report that Al-Ahli are closing in on a £20million move for 28-year-old Llorente.

It has been a busy summer to this point for Al-Ahli, with moves already tied up for Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez and Allan Saint-Maximin.

Europe's top clubs are on alert with the money pooling around from Saudi Arabia, with both Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Man City manager Pep Guardiola calling for help from FIFA.

Klopp recently called on world football's governing body to act over Saudi Arabia's transfer window closing three weeks after the European deadline.

The transfer window will close in Europe's top five leagues on September 1.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia have until September 20 to complete their business, having already invested heavily this summer.

The difference in deadlines could lead to disruption to squads in Europe, should the Saudi Pro League attract further big names, such as Llorente.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola has also warned that the league's financial strengthen cannot be ignored, after Riyad Mahrez signed for Al-Ahli in a £30m move.

'A few months ago when Cristiano [Ronaldo] was the only one to go, no one thought this many top, top players would play in the Saudi league. In the future there will be more and that's why clubs need to be aware of what is happening,' Guardiola said.

'Saudi is not about being a threat, it is a reality. They want to create a strong league and so far they are the league who can do it.

'The Premier League spent more than the others because the organisation is better and the broadcast rights are higher.

'The Saudi league, I don't know how long they will sustain that. But the players want to take this experience and play in that league. Saudi Arabia has changed the market.'

Al-Ahli have been one of the most active teams in the summer transfer market, with suggestions that they could hijack Manchester United's pursuit of Sofyan Amrabat.