Atletico Madrid make Liverpool lynchpin one of their top transfer targets this summer – with star man at risk of falling down the pecking order with Premier League champions eyeing replacement

Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson is wanted by Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish side have been in talks with AC Milan for Theo Hernandez but, after failing to reach agreement, have switched to Robertson, mindful that he could slip down the pecking order when Liverpool sign Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth.

Atletico have yet to make a formal approach to Liverpool but have been informed that Robertson is interested in talking to them.

The 31-year-old, who saw close friend Trent Alexander-Arnold make his move to Atletico’s rivals Real last week, has one year left on contract and is yet to agree a new deal despite talks.

Asked about his future, Robertson said: ‘I’m not getting any younger – I can’t change my age – but I still believe I’ve got a lot to give.

‘We’ve had good discussions, me and the club, but what the future holds, I’m not sure.’

Recently, Robertson also appeared to show he was eager to fight for his spot at Liverpool during an interview with Sky Sports. 

‘I think at any big club you always have to keep moving, the club always moves forward and I think you’ve also seen other big clubs like Manchester City have been very active early doors in the window,’ he said.

‘I know we’ve only got Jeremie Frimpong through the door so far but it looks as though one or two others are going to be close from what we can see on Sky Sports News.

‘But just now we’re at the top, we obviously won the league, and it’s important that the club keeps improving and finding ways to do that.

He went on: ‘The club have identified certain positions where they want to get new blood in, it looks like players we’re linked to are all younger players and they are all exciting players as well.

‘So when you play for a big club like Liverpool you expect challenges, you expect competition and I have always faced that, everyone here has faced that in their own positions and I expect nothing less.

‘I want the club to be ambitious, they are doing that and wherever we fit into that, if we’re happy with our role, we stay and we do it and if not then I am sure there will be a few out the door as well.

‘But you know, that’s the nature of football and it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world and we keep moving.’

Liverpool are expected to sign Kerkez for around £45m from Bournemouth who have signed a replacement in Adrien Ruffert from Rennes.

Atletico, meanwhile, are also among the clubs interested in Liverpool’s £70m-rated striker Darwin Nunez.

Robertson has never had a serious challenge to his position, though Kostas Tsimikas and Alberto Moreno before him have been capable deputies. 

The fact that Liverpool have not wrapped up a new contact for him is not necessarily an indication that they are seeing him off. 

Ibrahima Konate is in the same situation and they left it late with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. 

Robertson only delivered one assist in the Premier League last season in 33 games and made some uncharacteristic errors.

However, his role has changed from his more marauding days and he will often sit in when his opposite number bombs forward, which they will expect a lot of from Frimpong.