Atletico Madrid are exploring a move to sign Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson.
talkSPORT understands the Scotland captain is open to the move to Spain, where he would line up opposite former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Robertson is a top target for Atletico Madrid this summer
5
Robertson is a top target for Atletico Madrid this summerCredit: Getty
Robertson is one of the most popular figures at the club and one of the key leaders of the dressing room at Anfield.
The defender has won it all since his arrival from Hull City for just £8million, cementing his legacy as a Liverpool legend by playing central roles in two Premier League-winning campaigns and a Champions League title triumph.
He has also lifted one FA Cup, two Carabao Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup as an ever-present part of Liverpool’s back-four.
But the 31-year-old struggled to maintain his performance levels for the Reds this season, with his position often seen as the weak link in Arne Slot’s title winning team.
Read more transfer news
Two Liverpool legends had even urged the club to make signing a replacement left-back a priority in the transfer window, with both Mark Lawrenson and Jamie Carragher admitting Robertson's best days are behind him.
As it happens, Liverpool are set to bring in fresh legs at left-back this summer with a deal for Bournemouth’s Hungarian ace Milos Kerkez believed to be close, casting doubt over Robertson’s future in Slot’s first XI.
It was expected Liverpool would look to upgrade, with a deal for Kerkez set to push Robertson back to second choice and likely see current understudy, the ‘Greek Scouser’ Konstantinos Tsimikas, depart.
But it appears Atletico Madrid are ready to give Robertson an opportunity to star in Spain and give him more regular first-team football - something the defender is willing to consider.
Robertson addressed his uncertain position in the Liverpool team during the recent international break, with speculation rife over Kerkez as a potential replacement.
“When you play for a big club like Liverpool you expect challenges, you expect to have competition,” said the Scotland international, who started 27 out of the Reds’ 34 league games this season as they were crowned champions.
Robertson is one of the most popular figures at Liverpool and a key member of the leadership team in the dressing room
5
Robertson is one of the most popular figures at Liverpool and a key member of the leadership team in the dressing roomCredit: Getty
But he could follow Alexander-Arnold to Spain this summer
5
But he could follow Alexander-Arnold to Spain this summerCredit: Getty
“I’ve always faced that and so has everyone in their own positions.
“We want the club to be ambitious, they’re doing that and wherever we fit into that, if you’re happy with the role you stay and do it and if you’re not then I’m sure there will be some people out the door as well.
“That’s the nature of football.”
A move to the Spanish capital would reunite the Scot with long-time full-back partner Alexander-Arnold, who was officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player this week.
But, instead of pinging balls to each other from opposite sides of the pitch, as they have done for years at Anfield, they would be on opposing teams in the Madrid derby.
Atleti boss Diego Simeone is on the hunt for a new starting left-back following the departure of another former Premier League star, Cesar Azpilicueta.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has begun his new life as a Los Blancos galactico
5
Trent Alexander-Arnold has begun his new life as a Los Blancos galacticoCredit: Getty
Robertson and Alexander-Arnold are good mates off the pitch, and could be reunited in the Spanish capital after Trent's move to the Bernabeu
5
Robertson and Alexander-Arnold are good mates off the pitch, and could be reunited in the Spanish capital after Trent's move to the BernabeuCredit: Getty
The ex-Chelsea captain is out of contract at the end of June and set to move on after two years at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Fellow left-back Reinildo is also out of contract at Atleti this summer and likely to depart with three Premier League clubs interested.
Theo Hernandez of AC Milan was linked with a move to Atletico earlier in the window, but it is now believed Robertson is among their top targets.
A move for Robertson would continue a trend of Simeone targeting Premier League stars.
Read More on talkSPORT
Azpilicueta, Julian Alvarez and Conor Gallagher have all arrived from the English top flight in recent transfer windows.
They have all enjoyed successful spells with the Madrid giants, who have finished third in LaLiga behind Real Madrid and Barcelona in three of the last four seasons, having last tasted title success in the 2020/21 campaign.
'Calamitous' - Andy Robertson nightmare moment sparks Liverpool collapse against Fulham